Suggestion from a bishop: kneel to receive communion

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27lw said:
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godisgood77:
I find it sad that some bishops think they know better than the Church on this matter. One’s posture in receiving is not an indicator or internal disposition. Imposing one’s preference of style on others seems wrong. Especially, during the pandemic when hygiene is more important.
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You do know that the norm for receiving is on the tongue, right? Receiving in the hand is a temporary permission that could be pulled at any moment, theoretically? So the Church does in fact have a preference, which is on the tongue?
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I think in the Ordinary Form of the Mass, the “ordinary form” of receiving Holy Communion is on the tongue. In those countries whose bishops permit it, CITH is also allowed, as “extraordinary”.
 
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Your logic is flawed. I do agree that you do not understand our esire to receive in the tongue. That obvious. It us also obvious you have never tried to understand.
 
The mouth speaks the Word of God.

I’m glad to see that disagreeing with bishops is back on the table on this forum. 😉
 
I am allowed to not agree with a Bishop. I must obey my Bishop in matters entrusted to him, but I can still disagree with him.
 
DisorientingSneeze said:
I wonder if recieving in the hand while kneeling would be best right now?
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Why are people cautioned to wear disposable gloves along with masks? Because the virus can spread just as easily by hand and apparently even moreso. The best protection is to stay home with any sign of illness nevermind virus like symptoms.
 
tafan2 said:
Your logic is flawed. I do agree that you do not understand our esire to receive in the tongue. That obvious. It us also obvious you have never tried to understand.
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Actually, I try very hard to understand. Converts are generally fanatical about reading and learning as much as we can about our Catholic Church, as we spent many years (in my case, 47 years) without Holy Mother Church, and we feel a need to try to make up for all those years without Catholicism! I have often told others that I feel as though I have found a great treasure trove and the rest of my life will not be enough time to explore and exult over it!

For several months a few years ago, I tried receiving Holy Communion on my tongue (I also do not understand why everyone says, “On the tongue” rather tnan “On my/your tongue.” Why do we de-personalize the practice and make our tongues sound like an object that is not part of our human bodies? I don’t get this.).

I think it doesn’t work well when EMsHC are used, because some of them are comfortable and dexterious with placing the Sacred Host on a tongue, and others are NOT comfortable or dexterious! I gave up the practice after an EMHC dropped the host while trying to place it on my tongue (and yes, I open my mouth and stick my tongue way out!). I was so horrifed and upset at the idea of having the Lord Jesus dropped that I ended my experiment and returned to receiving in my hand.

So yes, I really do try to understand. And perhaps you haven’t seen other posts where I mention my involvement with the Latin Mass parish in our city and my many friends in this parish. I understand the history of receiving Holy Communion kneeling and on your tongue, and I think that those who have been raised in this tradition understandably feel very uncomfortable about receiving the Lord in a way that they feel is irreverent. I appreciate the influence that our upbringing has on our personal comfort level; e.g., I do not “feel” that chant is “reverent” at all–to me, it’s horror movie music, and I associate it with occult activities because that’s how I heard it growing up (in movies–I was a teen when Anton Levay wrote his Satanic Bible, and when everyone in the country was exploring the world of the occult!). What I grew up with is gospel music, old-time revival hymns, and the great hymns of the church (e.g., Isaac Watts)–to me, these are reverent and beautiful! Others (e.g., my organ teacher) grew up in churches with classical music and the pipe organ and even an orchestra and concert choir, so to them, that’s true musical reverence!

So I think a lot of our viewpoints are there because of how we grew up.
 
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tafan2 said:
Your logic is flawed. I do agree that you do not understand our esire to receive in the tongue. That obvious. It us also obvious you have never tried to understand.
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The general explanation is because it is ‘traditional’. However it was not ‘original’. I believe that the sensus fidelium for their part identifies with the origins of the Eucharistic ritual in a very organic way. Hence a real comfort in receiving Christ as He Himself showed the Apostles at the Last Supper in their hands.
 
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Well just FYI, your entire post was a strawman argument. It did not contain any reference as to why we prefer on the toungue.
 
No, strawman arguments are unfair and uncharitable. No have read lots if city vs CITH threads and not once have I heard an argument for Cott based on our mouths being less sinful. Not once.
 
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This was her personal perspective. It was not unfair or uncharitable. I don’t agree with her and could counter each thing she posted but why? Our opinions are just that, opinions. We should respect each other and not tear down because of our differences.
 
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It was @Peeps personal reflection. It was not at all meant as a slight against anyone receiving COTT. She has quite a unique perspective and all she tried to do.was share her thoughts.
 
tafan2 said:
No, strawman arguments are unfair and uncharitable. No have read lots if city vs CITH threads and nit once have I heard it argued that somehow our mouths are less sinful. Nit once.
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Step back and see the big picture. CR is not mounting theological reasons why Communion on the tongue is wrong. She is challenging the opinion often stated as if it doctrine, that Communion in the hand is sacrilegious and offensive to the Lord. That’s what all of us as far as I can see, are doing. Not promoting CITH. But defending it from extremist opinions about it.
 
And if you’re reading this thread, you did.

I posted why I prefer CITH, and it has nothing to do with sinning more with my tongue.
 
Edited my post to make my point more clear.
 
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For what it’s worth, I think that communion on the tongue works best when kneeling. Otherwise I think it’s too difficult for someone (an EMHC) to adjust to different people’s heights. I think it would have to be easier to distribute if people are kneeling lower down.
I noticed you didn’t address the concept of priests having consecrated hands, and the idea that until recently it was unthinkable that a layperson would even touch the host, much less distribute hosts.
 
Even when I attend an Eastern Divine Liturgy when I’m not going to be kneeling anyway to receive communion? The Church is a lot more diverse than we realise, we tend to live in little bubbles.
 
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