Receiving (not taking) Communion: Difference between revisions
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Even from Catholics, one will commonly hear the Rite of Communion incorrectly referred to as "taking Communion." | Even from Catholics, one will commonly hear the Rite of Communion incorrectly referred to as "taking Communion." | ||
A source of the confusion may stem from the verb "partake", which is used for reception of Communion by many Protestant churches. The use of "partake," however, is deliberately distinct from "recieve", | A source of the confusion may stem from the verb "partake", which is used for reception of Communion by many Protestant churches. The use of "partake," however, is deliberately distinct from "recieve", indicating "sharing in" or "participating" as opposed to reception. | ||
This website is uninterested in apologetic debates, so we will not get further into the Protestant choice of words here, and, instead, focus on Catholic teaching of the Sacrament of the Eucharist and Sacraments in general. | |||
== Receiving Communion == | == Receiving Communion == | ||
In the US Catholic Bishops (USCCB) guide [https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/the-reception-of-holy-communion-at-mass The Reception of Holy Communion at Mass] the word "take" appears twice in reference to recieving the Sacrament -- but both in terms of its proper reception into one hand, then "taking" it from the other: | |||
The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. If one is left-handed this is reversed. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing. | The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. If one is left-handed this is reversed. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing. | ||
By contrast, the word "receive" occurs nineteen times, always in terms of our participation in the Eucharist as recipients, and not "takers" of the Lord's Body and Blood. | |||
== Gospel accounts of the Lord's Supper == | == Gospel accounts of the Lord's Supper == | ||
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''Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them'' ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/22?19 Lk 22:19]) | ''Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them'' ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/22?19 Lk 22:19]) | ||
== | == The Sacraments are Gifts == | ||
Revision as of 20:01, 11 May 2024
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Even from Catholics, one will commonly hear the Rite of Communion incorrectly referred to as "taking Communion."
A source of the confusion may stem from the verb "partake", which is used for reception of Communion by many Protestant churches. The use of "partake," however, is deliberately distinct from "recieve", indicating "sharing in" or "participating" as opposed to reception.
This website is uninterested in apologetic debates, so we will not get further into the Protestant choice of words here, and, instead, focus on Catholic teaching of the Sacrament of the Eucharist and Sacraments in general.
Receiving Communion
In the US Catholic Bishops (USCCB) guide The Reception of Holy Communion at Mass the word "take" appears twice in reference to recieving the Sacrament -- but both in terms of its proper reception into one hand, then "taking" it from the other:
The host will then be laid in the palm of the left hand and then taken by the right hand to the mouth. If one is left-handed this is reversed. It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the person distributing.
By contrast, the word "receive" occurs nineteen times, always in terms of our participation in the Eucharist as recipients, and not "takers" of the Lord's Body and Blood.
Gospel accounts of the Lord's Supper
As we see in the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus "gave" or instructed the disciples to "take" the Bread and the Cup from him (which means "receive from me") his Body and Blood:
Matthew:
and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body." (Mt 26:26)
Mark:
and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body." (Mk 14:22)
Luke:
Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them (Lk 22:19)