10 Reasons Why.....

......I like receiving communion the old-school way. 

For a few months now, I have consistently received the Eucharist on the tongue rather than the modern way. I'd wrestled with the idea of it for a while, always panicking somewhere along the way about who was watching me, whether the priest would miss my mouth, or some other ridiculous notion. I used to think receiving on the tongue was just for super-holy people, or mothers who couldn't balance the baby in one hand. I would occasionally receive this way- but only at Rimbrook or some other establishment where it almost felt necessary- after all, everyone did it that way there. I didn't know why, but they did. But since forming this habit for myself, I've come to find out exactly why. Do you want the short version or the long? The short? Okay!

In ten reasons:

1.) Hygiene

 People sneeze. They cough. They bite their fingernails. They clean up baby slobber. And then I shake hands with them in the sign of peace.

Do I really want those same germs heading straight to my mouth?

2.) Winter

I am my mother's daughter. My extremities freeze, and I absolutely hate having cold hands. Receiving communion on the tongue means I can wear gloves in church!! And keep them on the WHOLE time!!! Particularly pertinent at places like Tyburn- frankly, Rotorua is cold!!

3.) Art

I typically go to the school mass in the chapel each Wednesday second period. Last term some time, I had art history first period, and we were doing a practical lesson on mediaeval painting methods. I ended up with tempera coating 80% of my hands- not exactly the best way to receive our Lord. Needless to say, I channelled my inner Mother Teresa for that mass... and every mass after it.

4.) Hands-Free, baby!

This video made me laugh for about ten minutes flat when I first saw it (give me a break, I was twelve!). Somehow, pondering my reasons for receiving communion the way I do made me think of it. The sentiment applies- your hands are free, baby! Free to hold a rosary, to clasp in pious supplication, to carry a sleeping child (if only I had one!).

5.) Demands focus

Sometimes in 'the old days', I would get back to my pew and realize that I had completely zoned out during the whole communion experience. Receiving hands-free means that your attention is completely focussed on the mystery you are about to receive (or at least on some aspect of it- most commonly "ohmygosh, is he going to miss my mouth? what if he drops Jesus? what if he gets confused and gives me a blessing instead? I don't WANT a blessing, darnit, I want Jesus!!")

6.) Intimacy

A kiss is more intimate than a handshake. Receiving our Lord into your mouth shows Him more love than a lazy grab-and-go.

7.) Extraordinary

I use my hands for almost everything in life. They so incredibly ordinary. Ordinary is not a word I want to associate with this miracle. 

8.) It makes a statement

Not that I'm trying to be a Pharisee, flaunting my sophisticated faith in front of the world. I do believe, however, that by receiving Jesus on the tongue, I tell the world that I am taking Him seriously. I'm not here out of duty, but out of love. And I believe it sets an example to others, an example which I hope and I pray they'll follow.

9.) It's SCARY.

Every. Single. Time. I panic slightly. I can feel people judging me. That girl is sooo weird. Doesn't she know about Vatican II? Especially in front of my peers, I freak out. And that is a good thing. Persecution, or fear of it, helps us to identify with the early martyrs, the men and women who were willing to risk their lives for the kingdom of God. Faith should NOT be easy- it should demand from us more than we are willing to give, to scare the wits out of us.

10.) It is JESUS

God. Creator. Saviour. If that is not reason enough to go the extra mile, if He does not demand our most thoughtful respect, than what does?

AMDG

God Bless,

Kate x