Receiving in the Hand

A few years ago I started thinking about receiving the Eucharist in my hands. I thought about how I walked to church, sometimes bringing the garbage out with me. I thought about all the other dirty things I touched on the way and during Mass. Yes, I sometimes washed my hands before Mass but still there were the dirty music books and maybe I blew my nose, etc. And let's not forget the "kiss of peace" when you shake with numerous people and who knows where their hands have been. It just seemed wrong to me to touch the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior with my germ filled hands.

After all, the priest should not really be touching anything after the consecration except the host and chalice although they get into the "kiss of peace" but at least it is not as widespread as us lay people. So, that is why I receive on the tongue. I know some people consider it gross but if it is done properly the priest does not even touch the tongue or lips of the recipient.

And let's remember that a priest's hands are consecrated to show the sacredness of handling the Eucharist. Have the hands of the Extraordinary Ministers been consecrated? I don't know for sure but I doubt it. That's the way it used to be: only the consecrated hands of a priest were fit enough to touch our Lord.

Now, of course, it's every man for himself. I think this is why the belief in the Real Presence has diminished. We have removed the sacred from Holy Communion. Maybe it is time to put the communion rails back in churches and return to the old way for everyone. If the Holy Father wants the people to whom he administers Holy Communion to kneel and receive on the tongue, why not the rest of us?