My mind being a bit warped and prone to distractions can turn something so awesome and transcendent as receiving Holy Communion into a humorous reflection.
For example at Mass this week as I approached for Communion I noticed the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion was quite short. My thought was “Bonus” I can make a profound bow at the same time I receive Communion on the tongue. If only we went back to only receiving on the tongue and also having very short priests, deacons and EMHC’s you could get everybody showing an external sign of reverence.
On another occasion of receiving Holy Communion the accident of bread got caught in my teeth. I was tempted to have to use a toothpick, but I would have felt too much like St. Longinus.
Oh well maybe one day my thoughts will be closer to the reverence that Holy Communion deserves.
8 comments
Surely the Lord has a sense of humor!
Our 2 year old grandson wnet to communion with his Dad who was holding him.. The Eucharistic Minister held up the Lord and said “The Body of Christ”, James(the grandson) looked at his toys, held them up and said “Woody and Buzz.” It was very hard not to laugh out loud.
How about this prayer of preparation?
Dear Jesus, as I approach Your altar to receive You in the Holy Eucharist, let me desire nothing but Divine Union with You. Stand guard over my heart, defending me against all distractions and attacks against my faith. Let me think of nothing but the great love You have for me-that You would come to me in so lowly a form as a piece of bread. Help me in my imperfect love to return love to You. Amen
Woody and Buzz! That’s too funny!!
You could have really helped out the short EMHC by kneeling to receive!
The worst is the short female EMHC with very low cut blouse. It makes the act of receiving Christ intersect with the near occasion of sin.
Thankfully, our church has a very beautiful stained glass of the Crucifixion above the altar, upon which I gaze while receiving regardless of the priest or EMHC.
Ahh. Distraction. It’s good to know that it gets at the best of us. That said, the Host in the teeth thing? This is why some of us don’t chew.
(Dear other people in my pew: yes. It DOES look like I have something in my mouth. Please stop staring.)
I need to get one of the signs that hang off my back when I kneel for communion that states: Warning: Watch for tripping!