It is a joy to be here as a priest and to concelebrate with the monks at their conventual Mass--and to be able to offer Mass for the intentions that are in my heart.
One thing I miss though: being given Holy Communion. I was always struck by the way they did it here. It was clear to you that the priest saw himself as handling something precious. It was just the way they held it and put it in your hand. You don't always get that at a regular Mass in a parish. I try to keep this in mind as a minister of Communion myself, but I know that you can have a lot of your mind at Communion, e.g. keeping an eye on the extraordinary ministers, trying to judge whether or not you have to go to the tabernacle, watching people to make sure they consume, etc.
Nevertheless, it is an important catechesis to behave with the holy Eucharist as if you were handling something precious, and unworthily at that.
1 comment:
hi Fr. C!
beautiful post on Holy Communion! although you were not with us this morning at scripture study (we missed not having you there) the subject of Holy Communion came up that we discussed for a short time. YES, Holy Communion is someONE very precious - it's JESUS! at st. theresa's church, we still use the paten for when people approach Holy Communion. so, i see every sunday how people approach Holy Communion and it often saddens me to see the way many people receive and also the fact that many do not even respond "AMEN" when the priest or eucharistic minister says to them "the Body of Christ." that's why i'm glad that i have the honor, at the very least, to teach 2nd grade religious education - hopefully in some small way, with the help of the Holy Spirit, i'm showing by word and example to these children that the Holy Eucharist is very precious. just as we say at Mass - "O Lord i am not worthy, but only say the Word and my soul shall be healed.
PEACE!
tara "t"
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