{"id":48839,"date":"2020-06-15T12:25:15","date_gmt":"2020-06-15T16:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/?p=48839"},"modified":"2020-06-15T12:25:15","modified_gmt":"2020-06-15T16:25:15","slug":"communion-in-the-hand-more-reflections-opinions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/2020\/06\/communion-in-the-hand-more-reflections-opinions.html","title":{"rendered":"Communion in the Hand: More Reflections & Opinions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"\"<\/p>\n

This is from a Facebook thread<\/a>, dated 7-8-13. I am including \u2014 for the sake of brevity \u2014 just my own thoughts. There is much further thought-provoking (and civil) discussion from many viewpoints in the original thread. Just follow the link above.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

As I\u2019ve stated many times; I receive kneeling, on the tongue, but I don\u2019t believe an argument can be made for one way being intrinsically superior to another. It is culturally relative to some extent, but ultimately comes down to the attitude in one\u2019s heart: the interior disposition, leading to reverence or not, whatever our posture.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The facts of the matter of early practice are undeniable, but it\u2019s how they are interpreted in light of the present debate which is interesting. Lots of legalism and emotionalism in equal measure . .\u00a0. I\u2019m clearly being objective about it because I practice and prefer one method but refuse to run down (and actually defend to a large extent) the other, in terms of intrinsic inferiority, which is nonexistent.<\/p>\n

The real and key difference runs through each human heart: reverent and pious and worshipful or not? Posture and demeanor (either method) will reflect and exhibit that. I can spot an irreverent person a mile away . . .<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

I take all pains to receive from the priest rather than a eucharistic minister: because he is the alter Christus<\/em> and they are not (nothing against them personally<\/em>); besides the rubrics often being violated in their excessive<\/em> use.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

I think liturgical development is different in kind from doctrinal, since there can be variability in a way that doesn\u2019t apply to dogmas and doctrines). My own perspective (to clarify) is not<\/em>:<\/p>\n

The early Church did it; therefore it is the best way and we should \/ must do the same.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Rather, it is:<\/p>\n

The fact that reception in this manner was the norm far and wide and for centuries in the early Church is compelling proof that communion in the hand is not intrinsically irreverent<\/em>\u00a0and cannot be otherwise.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I argue for preference in this time and place and culture (kneeling \/ on the tongue, from the priest), but I don\u2019t argue for intrinsic superiority of same. And the early Church\u2019s practice is a major reason why I don\u2019t. It\u2019s a classic case of where being aware of history has a real and important impact on a particular debate.<\/p>\n

I also stress interior disposition, which is oftentimes lost in these discussions, by making posture the be-all and end-all. I don\u2019 think so. It is the attitude and approach in our hearts, and our faith. Jesus applied that to all of faith in the Sermon on the Mount and it was usually the underlying theme in his denunciations of the Pharisees: \u201cyou clean the outside of the cup, but<\/em><\/strong> . . .,\u201d etc.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not arguing for communion in the hand per se (it\u2019s not my own practice, after all). My argument is that any approach that holds that communion in the hand is intrinsically irreverent is misguided and should be discontinued. Legitimate arguments advocating communion on the tongue can be made on various other grounds (I make them, myself), but this is not one of the ways that it should be done, in my opinion.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

My argument has many subtleties and nuances. My position is that kneeling is more reverent, generally speaking, in this time and place. It may not be everywhere, and indeed, in Eastern Catholicism as a whole, it is not at all. But in the Latin rite, since we kneel at consecration, for example, it is clearly regarded as a particularly reverent posture.<\/p>\n

Thus, I argue for it being more reverent in this<\/em> culture at the present time<\/em> (in the Latin, western rite), while carefully avoiding any fallacious argument from intrinsic superiority. It\u2019s culturally relative to some extent (as many things are). The (almost sole) purpose of this post was to knock out the argument that communion in the hand is inherently irreverent: also to provide historical background that many (especially reactionaries and too many legitimate traditionalists) appear to be unaware of.<\/p>\n

I agree that the liberals were clearly pushing communion in the hand. They<\/em> clearly thought it is more in line with their less-than-stellar eucharistic views. The fact that it was pushed in Germany and Holland is almost in itself proof that this is the case.\u00a0Germany in theological terms is sort of like Nazareth in the Bible: \u201ccan anything good<\/em> come out of Germany?!\u201d\u00a0Well, Pope Benedict did, but he was an extraordinary exception to the rule . . .<\/p>\n

In any event, it doesn\u2019t follow that everyone<\/em> must think the same as theological liberals do (that receiving in the hand somehow waters down the Real Presence). We must studiously avoid mere guilt-by-association arguments, too (a form of the genetic fallacy).<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

I think it is relatively less reverent in our culture and at this time: but only in a very broad sense, as a generalization. It has (here and now in America) less of what we might call a \u201cconditioned reverence\u201d than kneeling does.\u00a0In any event, I still hearken back to interior disposition and what is in one\u2019s heart. That\u2019s ultimately where it\u2019s at, and trumps all else.<\/p>\n

I think it depends on person and place, as I keep saying. Blanket statements are too simplistic. Certainly no one can say that the entire early Church was irreverent about Holy Communion.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Related Reading<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

How to Receive Communion: Tradition & Abuses<\/a>\u00a0[1-28-00]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Dialogue on Method of Communion & Liturgical Development<\/a>\u00a0(vs. David Palm) [6-25-08]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Can Communion in the Hand\u00a0be Equally Reverent?<\/a>\u00a0[7-13-11]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Bible on Reverent Posture for Worship & Communion<\/a>\u00a0[1-23-13]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Further Thoughts on Communion in the Hand<\/a>\u00a0[6-20-13]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Michael Voris & Historic Communion in the Hand (Standing)<\/a>\u00a0[8-8-13]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
\n
Catholic Worship & Beauty, Imagination\u00a0<\/a>[11-25-13]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Holy Communion in the Hand (Norm till 500-900 AD)<\/a>\u00a0[9-3-15; some additions on 3-13-20]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Thoughts: Communion in the Hand & Reverence<\/a>\u00a0[9-4-15]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Communion in the Hand & Biblical Reverence & Piety<\/a>\u00a0[9-5-15]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
St. Augustine\u2019s Holy Communion (Standing, in the Hand)<\/a>\u00a0[10-4-15]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Taylor Marshall: Better No Jesus at All Than By Hand<\/a>\u00a0[+\u00a0vigorous Facebook discussion<\/a>]\u00a0[3-14-20]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Communion in the Hand: Reactionaries vs. St. Cyril<\/a>\u00a0[3-15-20]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Is God Judging the World for Communion in the Hand?<\/a>\u00a0[4-13-20]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
Communion Posture: Examples from the Book of Revelation<\/a>\u00a0[4-14-20]<\/div>\n
*<\/div>\n
***<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Photo credit:<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>[source<\/a>]<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
***<\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is from a Facebook thread, dated 7-8-13. I am including \u2014 for the sake of brevity \u2014 just my own thoughts. There is much further thought-provoking (and civil) discussion from many viewpoints in the original thread. Just follow the link above. *** As I\u2019ve stated many times; I receive kneeling, on the tongue, but […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2331,"featured_media":48842,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[360,366,362,363,365,364,361,2337],"class_list":["post-48839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eucharist-liturgy","tag-communion-in-the-hand","tag-communion-on-the-tongue","tag-eucharistic-liturgy","tag-eucharistic-ministers","tag-holy-communion","tag-holy-eucharist","tag-liturgy","tag-the-mass"],"yoast_head":"\nCommunion in the Hand: More Reflections & Opinions Communion in the Hand: More Reflections & Opinions<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This is from a Facebook thread, dated 7-8-13. I am including -- for the sake of brevity -- just my own thoughts. 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Chesterton\\\" (Saint Benedict Press \/ TAN Books: 2009). \\\"100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura\\\" was published by Catholic Answers in May 2012. His \\\"Quotable Wesley\\\" compilation was published by (Protestant \/ Wesleyan publisher) Beacon Hill Press in April 2014. Several of his 49 books are bestsellers in their field. Dave maintains a popular personal Facebook page, a Facebook author page, and has a Twitter account as well. He offers almost all of his books in e-book form on his own Biblical Catholicism site (http:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/), at a permanent deep discount: only $2.99 for ePub, mobi, and AZW, and $1.99 for PDF. His writing has been enthusiastically endorsed or recommended by many leading Catholic apologists, authors, and priests, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Marcus Grodi, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Tim Staples, Devin Rose, Mike Aquilina, Al Kresta, Karl Keating, Fr. 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Dave has been interviewed on many nationally syndicated Catholic radio shows, including \"Catholic Answers Live\" (twice), \"Faith and Family Live\" (Steve Wood), \"Kresta in the Afternoon,\" \"Son Rise Morning Show,\" \"Catholic Connection\" (Teresa Tomeo), and \"The Catholics Next Door.\" His large and popular website, \"Biblical Evidence for Catholicism,\" was online from March 1997 to March 2007, and received the 1998 Catholic Website of the Year award from \"Envoy Magazine.\" His blog of the same name (now transferred to Patheos), begun in February 2004, contains more than 1,500 papers, at least 500 debates or dialogues, and over 50 distinct \"index\" web pages. Unsolicited correspondence has indicated many hundreds of conversions (or returns) to the Catholic faith as a result, by God's grace, of these writings. Dave's conversion story was published in the bestselling book \"Surprised by Truth\" (edited by Patrick Madrid; San Diego: Basilica Press, 1994). Sophia Institute Press has published six of his books: \"A Biblical Defense of Catholicism\" (Foreword by Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J., 1996 \/ 2003), \"The Catholic Verses\" (2004), \"The One-Minute Apologist\" (2007), \"Bible Proofs for Catholic Truths\" (2009), \"The Quotable Newman\" (editor: 2012), and \"Proving the Catholic Faith is Biblical\" (2015). He is co-author (with Dr. Paul Thigpen) of the inserts for \"The New Catholic Answer Bible\" (Our Sunday Visitor: 2005), and editor for \"The Wisdom of Mr. Chesterton: The Very Best Quotes, Quips, and Cracks from the Pen of G. K. Chesterton\" (Saint Benedict Press \/ TAN Books: 2009). \"100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura\" was published by Catholic Answers in May 2012. His \"Quotable Wesley\" compilation was published by (Protestant \/ Wesleyan publisher) Beacon Hill Press in April 2014. Several of his 49 books are bestsellers in their field. Dave maintains a popular personal Facebook page, a Facebook author page, and has a Twitter account as well. He offers almost all of his books in e-book form on his own Biblical Catholicism site (http:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/), at a permanent deep discount: only $2.99 for ePub, mobi, and AZW, and $1.99 for PDF. His writing has been enthusiastically endorsed or recommended by many leading Catholic apologists, authors, and priests, including Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Marcus Grodi, Patrick Madrid, Steve Ray, Tim Staples, Devin Rose, Mike Aquilina, Al Kresta, Karl Keating, Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Brandon Vogt, Marcellino D'Ambrosio, and Fr. John A. Hardon, S. J. Dave has been happily married to his wife Judy since October 1984. They have three sons and a daughter, and reside in southeast Michigan (metro Detroit).","sameAs":["https:\/\/biblicalcatholicism.com\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/dave.armstrong.798","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LuxVeritatisApologetics"],"url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/author\/davearmstrong"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2331"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=48839"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48839\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=48839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/davearmstrong\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=48839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}