Just as Jesus was cradled in a manger following His birth, our hands cradle Him when we receive Holy Communion. Much like His entrance into our world over two thousand years ago, Jesus makes Himself vulnerable and available to us today in a most intimate way through the Sacrament of the Eucharist. How do we handle this great gift on offer; do we approach Jesus with the right intention and proper preparation? The feast of Christmas offers us an opportunity to explore these matters.
Jesus instituted the seven Sacraments, physical means by which His grace touches us. Holy Communion - or the Eucharist - is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Himself, on offer to us under the appearance of bread and wine. God, who entered into our world over two thousand years ago as a helpless infant in the manger of Bethlehem, continues to offer Himself to us sacramentally so that all can now have access to Him and, through Him, be drawn into the divine life. Receiving the Sacraments is not a willy-nilly affair; because of the gift on offer and the opportunity it affords those who receive it, proper preparation and disposition are necessary so that those receiving can benefit from the experience.
Firstly, we engage in self-examination, the purpose of which is to avoid an unworthy reception of the Sacrament, as St. Paul reminds us: Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). Receiving in an unworthy manner happens if one is in a state of grave (mortal) sin. Receiving in that state is a misuse of what is sacred and an act of self-condemnation.
If, after self-examination, we find that we are in the right relationship with the Lord, we should approach the gift of the Eucharist at Mass after fasting for one hour before receiving it. Fasting involves abstaining from all food and drink (water and medication are exceptions). The point of the exercise is to experience a sense of physical hunger so that we are reminded of the spiritual hunger we should have for Jesus in our lives.
When approaching the priest or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) to receive the Eucharist, we are in a procession with our fellow Catholics, a joint action symbolizing our desire to be one with Christ and each other. Walk with purpose and reverence. Fold your hands near your heart and “keep your eyes on the prize” ahead.
You may receive the Host on either your tongue or in the hand. The priest or EMHC will say, “The Body of Christ,” to which we respond, “Amen,” which means “Truly this is so!” or, “Certainly this is true!” At the same time, make a bow of the head toward the Host. It is a gesture of profound respect to Jesus, whom you are receiving.
Finally, it usually is not permitted for non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion. Receiving the Eucharist is a sign of communion with Christ and the Catholic Church. It is a visible sign of an interior reality. Unfortunately, sad divisions separate non-Catholic Christians from Catholics. If non-Catholics were to receive Holy Communion, it would be the appearance of a unity that is not fully extant. There are exceptions, though. Some of these are danger of death or other grave necessity; they cannot approach a minister of their community; they ask for Holy Communion of their own accord; they manifest Catholic faith in the Sacraments; have a proper disposition to receive the Sacrament.
This Christmas, as we celebrate Jesus’s coming among us, humbling Himself to share in our humanity, let us approach the great gift of the Sacrament of the Eucharist with the right intention and proper preparation. Let us handle our Lord with care, for it is through the reception of the Eucharist that we share in the divine life. Thinking of our hands as the manger, let us cradle our Lord, and having received Him, manifest His life and love in our own manner of living, helping all draw near to Him to adore and be transformed.
Merry Christmas!
David J. Conrad
Jesus instituted the seven Sacraments, physical means by which His grace touches us. Holy Communion - or the Eucharist - is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Himself, on offer to us under the appearance of bread and wine. God, who entered into our world over two thousand years ago as a helpless infant in the manger of Bethlehem, continues to offer Himself to us sacramentally so that all can now have access to Him and, through Him, be drawn into the divine life. Receiving the Sacraments is not a willy-nilly affair; because of the gift on offer and the opportunity it affords those who receive it, proper preparation and disposition are necessary so that those receiving can benefit from the experience.
Firstly, we engage in self-examination, the purpose of which is to avoid an unworthy reception of the Sacrament, as St. Paul reminds us: Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). Receiving in an unworthy manner happens if one is in a state of grave (mortal) sin. Receiving in that state is a misuse of what is sacred and an act of self-condemnation.
If, after self-examination, we find that we are in the right relationship with the Lord, we should approach the gift of the Eucharist at Mass after fasting for one hour before receiving it. Fasting involves abstaining from all food and drink (water and medication are exceptions). The point of the exercise is to experience a sense of physical hunger so that we are reminded of the spiritual hunger we should have for Jesus in our lives.
When approaching the priest or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) to receive the Eucharist, we are in a procession with our fellow Catholics, a joint action symbolizing our desire to be one with Christ and each other. Walk with purpose and reverence. Fold your hands near your heart and “keep your eyes on the prize” ahead.
You may receive the Host on either your tongue or in the hand. The priest or EMHC will say, “The Body of Christ,” to which we respond, “Amen,” which means “Truly this is so!” or, “Certainly this is true!” At the same time, make a bow of the head toward the Host. It is a gesture of profound respect to Jesus, whom you are receiving.
Finally, it usually is not permitted for non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion. Receiving the Eucharist is a sign of communion with Christ and the Catholic Church. It is a visible sign of an interior reality. Unfortunately, sad divisions separate non-Catholic Christians from Catholics. If non-Catholics were to receive Holy Communion, it would be the appearance of a unity that is not fully extant. There are exceptions, though. Some of these are danger of death or other grave necessity; they cannot approach a minister of their community; they ask for Holy Communion of their own accord; they manifest Catholic faith in the Sacraments; have a proper disposition to receive the Sacrament.
This Christmas, as we celebrate Jesus’s coming among us, humbling Himself to share in our humanity, let us approach the great gift of the Sacrament of the Eucharist with the right intention and proper preparation. Let us handle our Lord with care, for it is through the reception of the Eucharist that we share in the divine life. Thinking of our hands as the manger, let us cradle our Lord, and having received Him, manifest His life and love in our own manner of living, helping all draw near to Him to adore and be transformed.
Merry Christmas!
David J. Conrad
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