Respect For The King

It’s important from time to time that we remind ourselves of our duty to approach receiving the Eucharist with the utmost respect and care. If the Eucharist were merely a symbol, then our external actions would be simply a matter of show. However, as Catholics, our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in Holy Communion demands nothing less than respect, awe, and reverence. After all, we are receiving the King of the Universe!

For those who cannot walk in the Communion line, Jesus will be brought to you. For the rest of us, we walk slowly, with hands folded in prayer. As the person in front of us is receiving, we bow to Jesus. When it’s our turn, the minister will simply say, “The Body of Christ.” We simply respond, “Amen!” And then comes the moment of receiving Him. Do we do it in the hand or on the tongue?

Either way is fine. Just please ensure the minister clearly can tell which way you have chosen. If on the tongue, extend it forward, and the minister will gently place Jesus there. If in the hand, please “make a throne for Jesus, the King.” Don’t reach out to grab Jesus! Place your dominant hand under your other hand, then extend them (don’t hold both hands out side by side, forcing the minister to try to guess where to place the host). Then use your dominant hand to gently pick up the Eucharist, placing it into your mouth. The Eucharist must be consumed on the spot, and cannot be taken back to your seat. Make the Sign of the Cross and then move back to your seat.

In doing all these things, we offer our Savior the sign of our inner disposition of reverence, respect and gratitude. For he is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

“So then after having carefully hallowed your eyes by the touch of the Holy Body, partake of it; giving heed lest you lose any portion thereof ; for whatever you lose, is evidently a loss to you as it were from one of your own members.” - St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lecture 23, no. 21

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact me at eucharist@stmli.org.