The Flu Season & Receiving the Blood of Christ

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John,

I am not sure what you are saying. Are you saying that we should obey our Bishops even when they give us instructions that are outside their authority? Or are you confirming that (from your quote):
The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand at the discretion of each communicant.
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kmktexas:
John,

I am not sure what you are saying. Are you saying that we should obey our Bishops even when they give us instructions that are outside their authority? Or are you confirming that (from your quote):

?
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. Following is the quote I was looking for. it’s from one of my prior posts. It points out the Church’s position clearly.
**P.S. I have had to shorten this article to post it.http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon7.gif

The recent Instruction from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments “on certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist” vindicates the right of the laity to complain about liturgical abuses.**
***Redemptionis Sacramentum ***states that any Catholic has the right to lodge a complaint to the diocesan Bishop or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. However it is fitting that the report or complaint should go first to the diocesan Bishop and it is to be made in truth and charity.

The Instruction is a sequel to the Holy Father’s Encyclical letter Ecclesia de Eucharistia, and is to be read in continuity with the letter. It is not primarily about regulations and rubrics, as critics might claim, but about the Eucharist, central to Catholic life and faith, hence protected by official practices and laws that affirm the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist.

Signed by Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation, the document has been mandated by Pope John Paul II. It was prepared in consultation with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Liturgical abuses often compromise Catholic faith in the Real Presence and the Sacrifice of the Mass, doctrines reaffirmed in the introductory sections.

The rights of the faithful, and reverence during Holy Communion, are emphasised:
  • Communicants are free to choose whether to receive on the tongue or in the hand, but if they receive in the hand they must consume the Host in the presence of the minister of Communion.
  • People cannot be denied Communion because they choose to kneel or stand.
  • The priest must receive Communion before the faithful receive Communion.
  • The practice of “self-intinction” (communicants dipping the Host in the chalice) is forbidden.
  • The Communion plate should be retained so as to avoid the danger of the sacred Host or some fragment of it falling.
  • The vessels are to be cleansed at the altar or credence table after Communion or after Mass (i.e., they are not taken to the sacristy to be cleansed).
The Instruction also repeats the rule that children are to make their first Confession before first Communion.

It remains to be seen to what extent the norms and provisions of Redemptionis Sacramentum will be enforced. But the laity now know that they can appeal to Rome. This is why the Instruction should be circulated everywhere so that Catholics can enjoy the right to the Liturgy of the Church - and the right to be informed.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 17 No 4 (May 2004), p. 3

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Bradley:
Why can’t churches simply make a statement at the beginning of flu season advising people that there is a risk of transmition . . . and they should not recieve from the cup if they feel they are at risk. Really, to deny the cup to the whole congregation seems overkill to me.
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This is exactly what our parish has done. We have also been asked to bypass the chalice if we feel we may transmit something. We have been cautioned that shaking hands is one of the best ways to spread disease and to make a sign of peace that does not involve touching. We also have been told to wash our hands frequently. FWIW, often people’s tongues touch the hands of the priest or EMHC if receiving on the tongue. I’m backin’ off that one and receiving in the hand until this is over. My lungs won’t take another flu.

Hey! It could be worse. During the great influenza of 1918, the government closed, schools, theaters and churches. Yes, churches!

Be well, everyone. And take care in this year without flu vaccine!
 
Lord, I know I only have to touch the hem of your garment but did you wash it first. It is flu season you know.

or

Lord, before you heal me can you wash your hands. I saw you over there with the lepers.

I understand those who want to bypass the cup for such health concerns but for me its a matter of faith. There is no way that I am going to get sick when receiving my Saviour.
 
Is it too extreme to compare it to the time of Roman persecution or Maccabees where you either *stand up for God and suffer death and persecution *OR ** deny Him and live another day?
 
Well, we have this rule too. And while we can’t shake hands at the sign of peace, it is apparently ok to still hold hands during the Our Father! UGH!
Mum
 
Lambs are lambs. Shepherds are shepherds. Here we have the lambs putting an (unnamed and unquoted) shepherd’s directive into question and up for comment. If this is how we respond in the green times, how will we act in times of trial?

We have to revisit all Eucharistic theology and disciplines to satisfy the sheep? The sheep have to understand before they will obey? Christ said, “Hear and obey.” Some respond they will obey only if and when they feel like it, or when they understand.

The sheep are crowding against the protestant fence, the pasture where the sheep hire shepherds according to the sheep’s understanding. They obey according to the sheep’s understanding. Such sheep have no God-given power and authority to teach and discipline, and go increasingly astray. Does not Christ’s directive to be as little children to enter Heaven mean to be trusting and obedient of Christ, and His servants?

Dividers of the brethren, if you have questions, go to the one who has that divinely-granted power and authority to guide, your priest or bishop, and stop inciting the lambs. The first fruit of love is obedience. Fall in love with Him, and fear to reject His servants as inviting the rejection of Christ and His Father, as He said. PAX CHRISTI +
 
You twist my words. I did not say that I will not obey until I understand. I made a distinction between obedience of action and obedience of will. I said that I will do what was asked out of obedience, but that I can not grant true obedience of my will because I do not understand the necessity for such drastic action as denying the fullest sign of the reality of Christ’s true and real pressence in the Eucharist.

While it is true we are all sheep, we are also all called to be Priest, Prophet, and Leader. Every member of the Body is called to this, be we lowly little sheep or the shepherd… of course, I know there are some out there who are satisfied to sit back and allow themselves to be led everywhere like a childish lamb, however, to be truly child-like in spirit is to trust in the lord with joy and a willing spirit, not with ingnorance and the pain of opression from the unecessarily restrictive grasp of an unkind shepherd.
 
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