Communion under both species

Oh my, here we go.  We darn Catholics; we just love a good theological argument.  I am amazed at some of my Catholic blogging friends who need to have the church constantly embroiled in that which is just not there.  Yesterday a prominent blogger was quick to link up to the announcement from the Diocese of Madison Wisconsin that communion would no longer be offered regularly under both species.  This drew further attention to the earlier announcemnt from the Diocese of Phoenix that communion under both species would also no longer be offered.

Since most bloggers are open to comments you can imagine the onslaught of opinions, mixed frequently with not so subtle criticisms and sometimes nastiness.  Here is what I know and observe weekly as an ordained Permanent Deacon.  Catholics perhaps do need to be recatechized about the "whole Jesus" is truly present (body, blood, soul and divinity) in both the consecrated host and the consecrated wine.  In other words, if I were to receive only the host or recieve only from the cup I receive His body, blood, soul and divinity; all of Him. 

Churches began offering the Eucharist under both species about forty plus years ago, not to be radical or to annoy traditionalists, but because the Church said it would be ok.  Some say it is done by special indults, other from the GIRM(general instruction of the Roman Missal) and some say just look to the Cathechism.  The bloggers who believe that both species occurs simply by indult are quick to point out that the indult for America expired in 2005.  The Bishops in both Madison and Phoenix speak of this.  But then you have the GIRM, # 281 I believe that leaves the power of how a diocese communicates it's faithful to the Bishop.  Now if left alone here, both the Bishop of Madison and Phoenix are doing what they believe they should do.  If these Bishops say no longer will communion be under both species, so be it.  Here is where the problem comes in from my blogging friends.  To then paint all remaining Bishops as disobedient or worse, because they have failed to follow Madison and Phoenix is crazy. 

I also think it is very important to remind everyone that the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1390 speaks eloquently of reception of the Eucharist under both species is a fuller sign.  And Jesus' own words in receiving Him are action words: eat and drink!  Is there any wonder that back at the local parish we basically do what we always do until authoritatevly told otherwise?

Catholic bloggers would do well to stick to the facts, be slower to question motives and help explain our theology to a world that reads us that includes Catholics and critics alike.  We so often give so much fodder to our critics.

Bottom line: just be obedient.  And if one day you find yourself at Mass and Communion is no longer offered under both species relax.  Avoid unnecessary criticism that the Church is not fair or going backwards or other such criticisms.  And if parishes, under the direction of the Bishop, continue to have communion under both species relax.  They are not trying to "protestanize" the Mass or diminish authentic Church teaching. 

One last important note: at the crux of the critical comments about distributing the Precious Blood is the use of EMHC's.  Traditionalist continue to cringe that lay people approach the altar and help distribute Holy Communion.  Again, EMHC's serve a purpose and are trained and certified to be EMHC's.  Do some churches over do it?  Yes.  Are some EMHC's not properly prepared, dressed or appropriately reverent?  Yes.  But until Rome, or the Bishops in union with Rome say not gonna happen, then relax.  For those who believe that they can only receive communion from an ordinary minister, that's your right but you actually diminish who He is in the Eucharist if you are more hung up about from whom you receive.  Jesus is Jesus no matter who gives you Holy Communion.

Let's pray for better understanding of the many depths and layers of our faith and be fair and kind in our dialogue.  Everyone is watching.  Catholics must always be able to imitate Christ at all times, even in their comments on blogs and in articulating their faith beliefs.

And always remember, we receive the living God(in Holy Communion) and our hearts should be full of joy!