Receive the Holy Eucharist on the tongue only

 

The Holy Eucharist contains the sacred body of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are not worthy to touch the Holy Eucharist. St. Thomas Aquinas famous doctor of the Catholic Church said “Only that what is consecrated should touch the consecrated”. Many people receive the Holy Eucharist on their hands. This tradition of receiving on the hands started due to the fear of viruses being transmitted from person to person during the distribution of the Holy Eucharist. But COVID 19 taught us that even if you receive the Holy Eucharist on the hand you can still fall sick and die. You can die even out of accidents or heart attacks or old age. So the fear of transmission of viruses during distribution of Holy Eucharist is not a valid fear. On the contrary we are violating the first commandment when we place our health over reverence for our God.

Jesus said “Unless you eat my body and drink my blood you will have no life in you” John 6:53. 1 Cor 11:27 says “If anyone eats the Lord’s bread or drinks his blood in a way that dishonours Him he is guilty of sin against the Lord’s body and blood”. The Bible tells us that Jesus performed many miracles during his lifetime. This same Jesus enters our life when we receive the Holy Eucharist. Yet we do not experience this power of our Risen Jesus in our lives. This is due to our lack of reverence for the Holy Eucharist. 1 Cor. 11:29-31 says “For if he does not recognize the meaning of the Lord’s body when he eats the bread and drinks from His cup he brings judgement on himself as he eats and drinks. That is why many of you are weak and ill and several have died (lack of faith)”.

The Second Vatican Council permits receiving the Holy Eucharist on the hands but looking at the problems facing the Catholic Church today I personally do not think it is a right decision in view of what is stated above. I have personally experienced the difference between receiving the Holy Eucharist on the hands and on the tongue in my spiritual and personal life and can proudly say the right way to receive the Holy Eucharist is on the tongue only.

Let us ask forgiveness for all sins committed against the Holy Eucharist and start giving due reverence to the Sacred Body of Jesus by receiving him on our tongue only so that we may truly experience the power of our Risen Lord in our lives.