Ask Deacon Mike

Recently I have been asked several questions about Holy Communion. The Church tells us that the Eucharist is the central sacrament of our faith for it unites us together as disciples of Jesus with the One Whom we serve. But beyond that how well do we understand this great gift which Jesus gave us? Does it really unite us to each other and to God? I am aware of many misunderstandings surrounding Holy Communion, also. Therefore, for the next several months I want to explore this great Sacrament with you and examine some of the Church’s teachings. Along the way I am sure I will interject some personal reflections. Please remember that I am not a theologian and for some my words may not go deep enough. However, I will try my best to present in plain words the teachings of the Church.

We give it many names, Eucharist, Holy Communion, and The Blessed Sacrament. Regardless of what we call it we must first and foremost always remember that we are referring to a person. St. Luke tells us that “… the Word became flesh and lived among us.” The Word – God’s Word – took human form in the person of Jesus. It is through the Incarnation that God entered the human race so that we might be saved. We know that this Person, Jesus, gave His life in exchange for the salvation of our souls.

As a way to remind us of His presence among us Jesus took bread and wine and prayed over it. He said that it is His Body and His Blood and that we should repeat this action in remembrance of Him. The Eucharist is not a reminder of Jesus. It IS Jesus. At every Mass through the words of consecration the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. It is not done through magic but through faith. Faith is the central element to the Eucharist. Through the faith of the Church handed down through the ages we are given the opportunity to be one with Our Lord. When I speak of the Church I mean the faith of the people – all baptized people who believe true presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Some common questions people have concerning the reception of Holy Communion are: When should I go? How often can I receive? Must I receive from the cup if it is offered?

The Church gives us an obligation to receive the Eucharist at least once during the Easter season. However, I don’t know of anyone who waits until just Easter to receive Holy Communion. Most Catholics receive weekly. Some receive daily. We can receive every time we participate at Mass. If you go to two Masses on a Sunday then you can receive at each Mass.

However, we are strictly prohibited from receiving the Blessed Sacrament more than once at the same Mass. Believe it or not that does happen from time to time. Some overly zealous person(s) will go from Communion line to Communion line believing that this gives them extra grace and further sanctifies their soul. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is not something that we receive in quantity. God is Spirit and once we have received His Spirit at Mass there is no further need to receive again at that same Mass. To do so also denies the unity which the Eucharist calls us to share in the name of Jesus, Our Lord. No one is more united than another just because they receive Communion multiple times.

Most churches, including St. Philip Neri, offer the Blessed Sacrament under both forms, that is the Body and Blood of Jesus. We do so because Jesus gave us both His Body and His Blood to share. At our parish we schedule Communion under both forms at the Masses at which there is a deacon assigned to assist the priest. We have a dedicated group of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who help us in the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament. Note their complete title: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. The ordinary ministers are the priests and deacons who by their ordinations are given the primary responsibility to provide the sacraments to the community. In our parish there are only two assigned ordinary ministers, Fr. Roncase and me. We do have the good fortune to have several other priests who serve us part time. They, too, are ordinary ministers.

In the following months I will address in greater detail the Church’s teachings on Eucharist and the manner and disposition that should we receive Communion. We will look at Eucharistic worship. We will take Jesus’ own words and reflect on them and see how they apply to our current day world. If you have any specific questions on the Eucharist or any other aspect of our faith or sacraments please send them to me. I can be reached in several ways. 1) Send me an e-mail at deaconmikefranks@verizon.net. 2) You can drop your question in the Sunday collection basket or send it to my attention at the rectory. As always may God bless you. I love you all.

Deacon Mike.