25th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2023 - Distribution of Holy Communion under both species

 Last week, I mentioned that we will be preaching about the distribution and reception of Holy Communion. We are in the midst of a Eucharistic Revival, and so, it is certainly fitting to reflect upon how and why we receive the eucharist. 

“On the night before he died, Christ gathered his Apostles in the upper room to celebrate the Last Supper and to give us the inestimable gift of his Body and Blood. "He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the centuries until He should come again, and so to entrust to His beloved spouse, the Church, a memorial of His death and resurrection. . . ." Thus, in the Eucharistic Celebration of the Mass we are joined with Christ on the altar of the cross and at the table of the upper room in "the sacrificial memorial in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated and [in] the sacred banquet of communion with the Lord's body and blood."

The eyes of faith enable Christians to recognize that in the Eucharist we celebrate and receive “Christ Himself, our Passover and living bread." The Eucharist is the "Sacrament of Sacraments." Through it "the work of our redemption is accomplished." He who is the "living bread that came down from heaven" (Jn 6:51) assures us, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink" (Jn 6:54-55).

While the heart of the celebration of the Eucharist is the Eucharistic Prayer, in which bread and wine are truly transformed into the Body and Blood of our Savior who offers himself as a sacrifice for our redemption to the Father, the consummation of the Mass is found in Holy Communion, whereby the people purchased for the Father by his beloved Son, eat and drink the Body and Blood of Christ…In the great sacrament of the altar, communicants are joined to Christ Jesus and to one another.

It is God’s Holy Will that this sacrament be received as the soul's spiritual food to sustain and build up those who receive it, as he said, "He who eats of me, he also shall live because of me" (Jn 6:57). This sacrament is also to be a remedy to free us from our daily defects and to keep us from mortal sin. Moreover, the Eucharist is the promise and pledge of our future glory and our everlasting happiness—again, “he who eats my flesh will live forever.”

Church historians tell us that from the first days of the Church's celebration of the Eucharist, Holy Communion consisted of the reception of both the bread and wine that had been placed on an altar and transformed into the Lord’s Body and Blood. Both were received by members of the faithful in fulfillment of the Lord's command to "take and eat . . . take and drink." The distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful under both kinds was thus the norm for more than 1000 years. 

The practice of Holy Communion under both kinds at Mass continued until the late eleventh century, when the custom of distributing the Eucharist to the faithful under the form of bread alone began to grow. By the twelfth century theologians such as Peter Cantor speak of Communion under one kind as a "custom" of the Church. This practice spread until the Council of Constance in 1415 decreed that Holy Communion under the form of bread alone would be distributed to the faithful.

In 1963, the Pope, of course having the authority to do so, authorized the distribution of both species to the faithful at the discretion of the diocesan bishops. And some of our elders here might remember when we here in Cleveland began to distribute Holy Communion under both species. And up until the COVID lockdown in 2020 we were distributing both the consecrated host and precious blood here at St. Ignatius of Antioch. 

Now three years later, at the recommendation of several parishioners and the support of parish council, we will be returning to distributing both species at weekend masses here at St. Ignatius. 

So, as normal, we will form two lines down the aisle for the Communion Procession. And those who are disposed to receive Holy Communion may receive in the prescribed way.

To receive the host, you may receive on the tongue, as is the ancient custom, or receive in the hands. As a reminder, you must have both hands completely free, so you cannot be carrying a phone, a child, a purse, cane or handkerchief. When receiving in the hand, your dominant hand goes under your other hand, so that the host can be placed carefully in the palm—so you are not to form a cup, but a throne. Then your dominant hand places the host in your mouth carefully, taking care that no part or particle of the host is dropped or lost. 

When receiving the cup, after responding “Amen” to the minister, you are to take the cup with two hands, take a sip, and return it to the minster, who will wipe the cup with a clean portion of the purificator. 

If you are not receiving from the cup out of health concerns or for whatever reason, you should still make a small sign of reverence to acknowledge your belief, that the cup truly contains Christ. And be assured that to receive the host is still to receive both the body and blood of Christ, as has been clearly taught through the centuries.  

Recall, too, that to receive holy communion, one must be in a state of grace, having confessed one’s serious sins in the sacrament of confession. To do so otherwise is sacrilege. 

As St. Paul instructs the Christians at Corinth, “Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body eat and drink judgment against themselves. For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.” In other words, many Christians are spiritually weak or spiritually dead because they have failed to confess mortal sins before receiving holy communion. 

I’d like to thank all of our Eucharistic Ministers stepping up to fulfill this service to the parish. We could certainly use a few more Eucharistic Ministers to ensure we have enough at each mass with a few substitutes. So please let me know if you'd be willing to serve in this liturgical ministry.

The Eucharist is strength for those who journey in hope through this life and who desire to dwell with God in the life to come. May our worship and reception of the Body and Blood of the Lord help us to experience the salvation he won for us, and the peace of God’s kingdom, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

3rd Week of Easter 2018 - Thursday - Pledge of Eternal Life

In his Bread of Life discourse, Jesus promised food that would bring eternal life. Natural bread feeds our bodies, it sustains our physical life. But the super-substantial bread given to us by Jesus Christ, enables our souls to live forever.

The Sacrament of the Altar has many names, and each of those names signify a different dimension of the sacrament.

The Sacrament is called Eucharist: Eucharist, coming from the Greek word, Eucharistia, which means thanksgiving. At the Eucharist the Church gathers first and foremost to give our thanksgiving to God for the gift of our salvation won for us through the self-sacrifice of His Son on the cross for us.

The Sacrament is called Holy Communion: for through it, souls are brought into communion with our Holy God, made sharers in his divine life, and the holy bond between Christians is strengthened.

The Sacrament is called the Body and Blood of Christ: for as Jesus teaches, this bread is His true flesh. And as Thomas Aquinas poetically summarized: Verbum caro, panem verum Verbo carnem éfficit: Fitque sanguis Christi merum,” The word made flesh, makes bread, by his word, flesh, and wine into the blood of Christ.

The Sacrament is called the Most Blessed Sacrament: for though in the other sacraments Christ performs a holy action, baptizing, confirming, absolving, marrying, this Sacrament IS Jesus.

And one of my favorite titles for this Sacrament: it is called The Pledge of Eternal Life. For as Jesus promises in the Gospel today, “whoever eats this bread will live forever.” A divine pledge, a divine promise is given to those who partake of this Sacrament.

There are many reasons to become Catholic, or to return to the active practice of the Catholic faith: but this one ranks pretty high: eternal life promised by God.

Through the Eucharist our mortal natures become incorruptible, as St. Ireneus taught, in the 2nd century.

This truth was echoed for centuries in the Old Rite of Mass. as one knelt down to receive holy communion, the priest would bless the communicant with the host and say the words: Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam: May the Body of Christ preserve your soul unto everlasting life.

May our Easter celebration continue to open us to the joy of the risen Christ, and his presence in the Church particularly in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, the Eucharist, His Body and Blood, and our pledge of eternal life, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - -
 
That the Church will deepen in her devotion to the Eucharistic sacrifice which is the source and summit of our Christian life.  We pray to the Lord.

That the redemptive power of Christ’s Eucharistic sacrifice will extend to the hearts and minds of all those who govern peoples and nations.  We pray to the Lord.

That the Eucharist will be for priests the source of their joy and their deeper configuration to Jesus Christ.  We pray to the Lord.

That the Real Presence of Jesus will be experienced in all marriages, in all business relations, in all daily encounters, and in our friendships.  We pray to the Lord.

For those who live in want: that Jesus the Bread of Life will be their sustenance, and that Christians may bring the justice and mercy of Christ to all those in need.  We pray to the Lord.

For all those who have died, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for all who have fought and died for our country’s freedom, and for [intention below], for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.

2nd Week of Easter 2018 - Friday - Hungry for God

Having read through the entirety of Jesus' discourse with Nicodemus from chapter 3 of St. John's Gospel over the past four days, we now begin a week long reading of John Chapter 6.  St. John's sixth chapter is comprised of two miracle stories—the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and Jesus walking on the water—and the great Bread of Life discourse.  I encourage you to read and reflect upon the entire chapter to get a sense of what's coming over the next 8 days.

With Nicodemus, Jesus spoke of the waters of spiritual rebirth. Those who are immersed into the waters of baptism are immersed into the saving death and resurrection of the Lord. St. Paul explains this in his letter to the Colossians:  "You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead"

Well, if the first set of Scripture readings after the Easter Octave point to the importance of the Sacrament of Baptism, this second set of readings, from John 6, is going to point to the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood, the Eucharist.

The Catechism explains: “The miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, when the Lord says the blessing, breaks and distributes the loaves through his disciples to feed the multitude, prefigures the superabundance of [the] unique bread of his Eucharist.” This connection was clear, even to the early Church. In second-century catacombs, we find artistic representations of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves to symbolize the Eucharist.

Part of our Easter faith and our Easter journey every year is to deepen our appreciation, love, and gratitude for the new life we receive through Christ: new life begun in baptism, new life strengthened in confirmation, and new life sustained in the Eucharist.

Just as the Lord fed the hungry crowd, the Lord feeds man’s deepest hunger with the Eucharist. All of us hunger for truth, justice, love, peace, and beauty. In a word, we are hungry for God. And that hunger is satisfied, here at the table of the altar.

Sadly many Christians, like ill-natured children, refuse to eat what they are served, many refuse to sit at the table and sup. But here at the altar, we are sent out to them, to draw them back here, to Christ.

May the Eucharist, our food, our life, our joy, continue to sustain us for the work of the Church, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
- - - - - - - -

Filled with Paschal joy, let us turn earnestly to God, to graciously hear our prayers and supplications
.
For the shepherds of our souls, that they may have the strength to govern wisely the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd.

For the whole world, that it may truly know the peace of the Risen Christ.

For our own community, that it may bear witness with great confidence to the Resurrection of Christ, and that the newly initiated hold fast to the faith they have received.

For our brothers and sisters who suffer, that their sorrow may be turned to gladness through the Christian faith.

That all of our beloved dead and all the souls in purgatory may come to the glory of the Resurrection.

O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the desires of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our lord.

Monday - 24th Week of OT 2017 - Lord, I am not worthy

At every Mass, before receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, we echo the words of the Centurion, “Lord I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.” Even the priest who has been consecrated by the bishop to preside over these sacred mysteries says that he is unworthy to receive.

Jesus remarks that not in all of Israel had he found such faith. And you can be sure that there were many people who considered themselves to be very faithful, particularly the Pharisees.

In claiming our unworthiness to receive Holy Communion, is not a superficial act of self-degradation. We are able to come forward to receive the Lord not because we are so great and so good, but because God is so good.

When we express our unworthiness, when we kneel throughout Mass, when we genuflect when we come into the church, when we bow before receiving holy communion, we are expressing something very important for Christians, we are expressing our Reverence for God.

Reverence is having the respect we ought to have for God.  St. Theresa said, that if we really understood the greatness of the miracle that took place at Mass, we would fall flat on our face.  Because the God of the entire universe is here.  The same sacrifice that opened for us the way to heaven, takes place here in this church, on this altar, for us.

When we realize God's majestic glory, we conclude that He doesn't owe us anything. Thus, we see life as a gift and a privilege. Realizing our unworthiness we acknowledge the reality of our humanity. We see ourselves as unconditionally loved and superabundantly showered with God’s mercy. Our every breath is a grace.

There is a joy in unworthiness. There is a joy in kneeling, in submitting to not an arbitrary authority, but a true one.

Last week, I spoke of the moral therapeutic deism which has infected many Christians, who come to Church only to get something, to have their self-esteem boosted, to have their sins explained away. But reverence purifies us of such self-centeredness. Reverence brings us to our knees in the presence of God, and brings us joy in knowing that He is God and we are not.

May this Holy Eucharist today deepen our reverence and deepen our joy, that we may be faithful proclaiming Christ’s saving Truth to the ends of the earth, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - - - - - -

May the Church deepen in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly in the reverence which helps us adore and proclaim the ineffable love of God.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of September: “That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.”

For the sick and afflicted, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, for victims of natural disaster and inclement weather, those who suffer from war, violence, and terrorism, for the mentally ill, those with addictions, the imprisoned, the unchaste, for the comfort of the dying and the consolation of their families.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.