Today is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.
In 1263, a priest from Prague was en route to Rome making a pilgrimage asking God for help to strengthen him in his faith, because he doubted his vocation. He stopped in a village called Bolsena, 70 miles north of Rome. While celebrating Mass there, as he raised the Host during the consecration, the bread turned into visible flesh and began to bleed. The drops of blood fell onto the small white cloth. The following year in 1264 Pope Urban IV instituted the feast of the body and blood of Jesus, today’s solemnity of Corpus Christi.
The miracle of the host turning to flesh and bleeding--- pointed to the fact that in the Eucharist is a real and entire person. The Eucharist is not just a hunk of flesh or just some blood. The Eucharist is a person! The Eucharist is the whole Jesus! We can’t have a relationship with a hunk of flesh, but we can have a relationship with a person, who will listen to us.
The same Jesus who came down from heaven in the womb of Mary, walked the face of the earth, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered, died, was buried, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, is the same Jesus in the Eucharist today, but resurrected. We should give Jesus in the Eucharist, the greatest possible reverence.
The most common way to disrespect Jesus in the Eucharist, is to receive Holy Communion in the state of mortal sin. If we purposely miss Mass on Sunday or commit any mortal sin, we are not permitted to receive Holy Communion, unless we first go to Confession. Otherwise we commit a sacrilegious communion. If we receive the Eucharist with a mortal sin on our soul, we do not receive any graces whatsoever and deeply offend Jesus.
Those who cannot go to Mass on Sunday, due to their health or because they are homebound or in a nursing home, or if they work in a hospital or nursing home or if a police officer or EMT, even if they miss Mass, it is not sinful.
To receive Holy Communion on the hand is an indult, which is a permission. The ordinary manner the Church intends us to receive Communion is on the tongue. I repeat, the ordinary manner the Church intends us to receive Communion is on the tongue.
It’s up to each bishop as to whether or not to grant permission to receive in the hand. The bishop in the Diocese where Medjugorje is located, does not permit Communion in the hand. When Communion is received in the hand, people lose reverence and begin to treat it as bread, which it’s not. The Eucharist is a person. It’s Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
If we receive Communion in the hand, we are to immediately put the Host in our mouth before walking away. Years ago, some priests told the people of their parish, to step aside and then put the Host in the mouth. But, practice has shown, Hosts are dropped on the floor and particles fall to the floor. It is quicker and safer to put the Host immediately in your mouth before walking away. Sadly, some people have stolen Hosts because they walk away with it in their hands.
Also, many times, very small particles of the Host remain in the palm of the hand and then fall to the ground. Each particle, no matter how small is the whole and entire person of Jesus.
As a priest I always tell the people who receive Communion, I recommend that you receive Communion on the tongue, because it is the manner the Church desires and it is the safest way to prevent particles from falling to the ground. However, if you would decide to receive in the hand, after you put the Host in your mouth, please look at the palm of your hand and pick up any particles and consume them.
A Vatican II document says every Catholics is to make a sign of reverence, such as a bow of the head or the sign of the Cross before receiving Holy Communion.
We are to fast one hour before receiving Holy Communion, except for medicine or water. Diabetics can be exempt, but only when necessary. Gum, coffee, tea, candy are not permitted within the hour before receiving. In hospitals and nursing homes if the priest or extra ordinary minister is unable to come back, Communion can be given in less than an hour.
After we receive Holy Communion, Jesus remains inside us physically for at least 10 minutes, until the Host is assimilated into the body. We should pray to Jesus, who comes inside us and not leave Mass immediately after receiving the Host. Otherwise, we offend Jesus by ignoring Him, who has come inside us.
There is no greater joy on earth than to have union with Jesus in Holy Communion. We should pour out our heart to Him, thank Him, talk to Him, ask for favors and listen to Him, who speaks to us Heart to heart.
Today, on this Corpus Christi Sunday, let us resolve to treat Jesus in the Eucharist, with the greatest possible respect, and if it’s been years since you received Communion on the tongue consider doing as the Church intends, out of humility and specially out of love for our God, who hides Himself under the appearance of bread, but is truly there in His real risen physical body.
In 1263, a priest from Prague was en route to Rome making a pilgrimage asking God for help to strengthen him in his faith, because he doubted his vocation. He stopped in a village called Bolsena, 70 miles north of Rome. While celebrating Mass there, as he raised the Host during the consecration, the bread turned into visible flesh and began to bleed. The drops of blood fell onto the small white cloth. The following year in 1264 Pope Urban IV instituted the feast of the body and blood of Jesus, today’s solemnity of Corpus Christi.
The miracle of the host turning to flesh and bleeding--- pointed to the fact that in the Eucharist is a real and entire person. The Eucharist is not just a hunk of flesh or just some blood. The Eucharist is a person! The Eucharist is the whole Jesus! We can’t have a relationship with a hunk of flesh, but we can have a relationship with a person, who will listen to us.
The same Jesus who came down from heaven in the womb of Mary, walked the face of the earth, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered, died, was buried, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, is the same Jesus in the Eucharist today, but resurrected. We should give Jesus in the Eucharist, the greatest possible reverence.
The most common way to disrespect Jesus in the Eucharist, is to receive Holy Communion in the state of mortal sin. If we purposely miss Mass on Sunday or commit any mortal sin, we are not permitted to receive Holy Communion, unless we first go to Confession. Otherwise we commit a sacrilegious communion. If we receive the Eucharist with a mortal sin on our soul, we do not receive any graces whatsoever and deeply offend Jesus.
Those who cannot go to Mass on Sunday, due to their health or because they are homebound or in a nursing home, or if they work in a hospital or nursing home or if a police officer or EMT, even if they miss Mass, it is not sinful.
To receive Holy Communion on the hand is an indult, which is a permission. The ordinary manner the Church intends us to receive Communion is on the tongue. I repeat, the ordinary manner the Church intends us to receive Communion is on the tongue.
It’s up to each bishop as to whether or not to grant permission to receive in the hand. The bishop in the Diocese where Medjugorje is located, does not permit Communion in the hand. When Communion is received in the hand, people lose reverence and begin to treat it as bread, which it’s not. The Eucharist is a person. It’s Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.
If we receive Communion in the hand, we are to immediately put the Host in our mouth before walking away. Years ago, some priests told the people of their parish, to step aside and then put the Host in the mouth. But, practice has shown, Hosts are dropped on the floor and particles fall to the floor. It is quicker and safer to put the Host immediately in your mouth before walking away. Sadly, some people have stolen Hosts because they walk away with it in their hands.
Also, many times, very small particles of the Host remain in the palm of the hand and then fall to the ground. Each particle, no matter how small is the whole and entire person of Jesus.
As a priest I always tell the people who receive Communion, I recommend that you receive Communion on the tongue, because it is the manner the Church desires and it is the safest way to prevent particles from falling to the ground. However, if you would decide to receive in the hand, after you put the Host in your mouth, please look at the palm of your hand and pick up any particles and consume them.
A Vatican II document says every Catholics is to make a sign of reverence, such as a bow of the head or the sign of the Cross before receiving Holy Communion.
We are to fast one hour before receiving Holy Communion, except for medicine or water. Diabetics can be exempt, but only when necessary. Gum, coffee, tea, candy are not permitted within the hour before receiving. In hospitals and nursing homes if the priest or extra ordinary minister is unable to come back, Communion can be given in less than an hour.
After we receive Holy Communion, Jesus remains inside us physically for at least 10 minutes, until the Host is assimilated into the body. We should pray to Jesus, who comes inside us and not leave Mass immediately after receiving the Host. Otherwise, we offend Jesus by ignoring Him, who has come inside us.
There is no greater joy on earth than to have union with Jesus in Holy Communion. We should pour out our heart to Him, thank Him, talk to Him, ask for favors and listen to Him, who speaks to us Heart to heart.
Today, on this Corpus Christi Sunday, let us resolve to treat Jesus in the Eucharist, with the greatest possible respect, and if it’s been years since you received Communion on the tongue consider doing as the Church intends, out of humility and specially out of love for our God, who hides Himself under the appearance of bread, but is truly there in His real risen physical body.
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