Eucharist Opinion

We know that the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is the soul and joy of our Church. We also know that many in the body, the people of our Church, do not understand, agree or believe in the real presence. For this reason, the Church is now focusing on teaching the real presence. In my experience, since Vatican II, there has been a noticeable change in the veneration of the host which certainly contributes to this error. I attribute it to the change by many to take communion in their hands. There was a time in my life when the thought of touching our blessed Lord with our dirty hands was inconceivable. I have noticed that in those churches, and the Mass on ESPN, where the presence is revered, the host is taken on the tongue often when kneeling.

Aside from reverence, our Church may be a serious spreader of germs at a time when this can be deadly. One wonders who came up with the cup? Or thought you could wipe the germs from multiple mouths with a piece of cloth? No health aware person I know partook the cup and the pandemic, hopefully, has brought this practice to an end. Likewise, we are taught from our youth not to eat with our hands. They are often cited as the primary spreader of disease. We see people in church, whose hand have been on multiple unsanitary objects, who have exchanged a sign of peace with other dirty hands, place the precious host in those hands and consume It. Not only is this unsanitary, but one must ask why? Why did we do this? What good has come from it? It did not come from Vatican II.

I would urge my fellow Knights, by their example and influence, to encourage a return to the practice of receiving our blessed Lord on the tongue. And to resist any return to the cup.I believe this will also help bring back the former reverence we had for the Host and a better understanding of the incredible miracle we share in communion.