How were you taught to receive Holy Communion?
In my generation, most of us were taught from the get-go to receive Jesus in the hand.
But is this wrong?
Is this the best way to receive Jesus?
Is it really that big of a deal?
Receiving in the hand is by far, the most common way people receive Holy Communion today.
But why?
The video below explains this and more…
(Video) Receiving Holy Communion in the Hand
Read the full text here: ==> Memoriale Domini
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As Men of Valor we must receive communion on the tongue to be a good influence to our wives, to our children and most of all to our community.
Husbands and Fathers have a profound influence and a special opportunity to impact the Church in a powerful way…
It is important we provide the best examples to our children.
Don’t you agree?
It is very easy to discard this as frivolous matter.
In fact, that is exactly what the deceiver wants us to do.
He wants us to think, it does not matter how you receive Jesus and it is not such a “big deal.”
Because once we develop the disrespectful habit of receiving the Holy Communion in the hand, he knows that over time people will eventually stop believing in the True Presence of Christ in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
The deceiver also knows if we stop believing, we will lose our faith and our way to the Lord.
“Sometimes the smallest things can bring about the greatest change.”
We humans have been given a very special Gift… “The Sacrament of Holy Communion”
We should use our influence as Men to encourage people to reflect on how they receive Jesus because it is easy for us to devalue the importance of something, if we do not demonstrate validity and importance in outward actions.
“Our practice follows our belief and our belief follows our practice.”
There is a reason why on the tongue is the preferred and recommended way of receiving Holy Communion…
–and this practice should be encouraged!
In the same respect, we must not judge or criticize those who choose to receive communion in the hand.
It clearly states in Redemptionis Sacramentum, Ch IV, paragraph 92 the practice is allowed, “in areas where the Bishops’ Conference with the recognitio of the Apostolic See has given permission.”
With that said… Communion on the tongue is still the preferred method and should be encouraged.
How Do We Change the Future?
It is very difficult to change people’s minds after they have developed a habit.
The easiest way and by far the most effective way to change our future is to do it through our youth.
We have an opportunity influence our children and encourage them to receive communion on the tongue.
Unfortunately, our children are being taught the opposite and developing the habit of receiving Holy Communion in the hand.
Just because in some Bishops have granted an exception, the “preferred” method is still receiving Holy Communion on the tongue, therefor we must teach and encourage our youth to develop this practice.
You have the responsibly to be involved with your child’s religious education.
I challenge you to take a stand and if possible teach religious education in your parish.
Communion in the Hand History
There are certainly times in church history when people did receive Holy Communion on the hand, however the church eventually moved away from the practice because of the abuse that was taking place.
I recommend reading the book, “The Eucharistic Storms: Communion in the hand and the marginalizing of the Real Presence” by Barry Forbes.
In this book Barry Forbes takes the reader through Church History and gives a testament as to why one should Receive Communion on the tongue.
Another good resource that I suggest on the subject is the Communion in the Hand: Documents and History.
(Video) Interview with Author Barry Forbes
Barry Forbes author of “The Eucharistic Storms” did an interview with Christine Niles.
I added this video because I think it’s important for you to hear directly from the author of “The Eucharistic Storms”
(Part 1): Why Catholics Should Not Receive Communion in the Hand
Father Gerner and host John Vennari discuss why Catholics should not receive Communion in the Hand.
The the indult that Pope Paul VI created in the Memoriale Domini.
They also discuss how many people are unknowingly committing a sacrilege because particles of the Host could fall on the floor.
“Our practice follows our belief and our belief follows our practice.”
(Part 2): Why Catholics Should Not Receive Communion in the Hand
The law of the Church is to take the Communion on their tongue.
They discuss more of the rules that Pope Paul VI outlined in Memoriale Domini.
In 336 to 381 A.D. the Arian heresy, they were taking Communion in the hand.
During the Reformation, it was the common practice to take Communion in the hand as an act of disbelief in the True Presence.
The Truth is Revealed
Was this helpful? If so, I would greatly appreciate your comments below.
You have a greatness within you and I believe in you,
Josh Bayless
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