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Communion
Spiritual and Actual Communion
Communion can be spiritual or actual. It is spiritual when we have not
actually received the sacrament. But when we receive it actually in the Mass
then we have really made communion with the Lord through the sacrament.
Spiritual communion can be made within or outside the Mass. There are occasions
within the Mass when we cannot approach the sacrament. The reason has to do with
our personal relationship with God. It could be that we have not made confession
and have not really prepared ourselves to receive the Lord through His Sacred
sacrament. Or the reason could be practical. There could be so many people
receiving communion in the parish that the hosts are not enough to accommodate
everyone. In this way, we just make an act of spiritual communion and pray a
special prayer stating our intention to receive spiritual communion with the
Lord. Outside the Mass, we may make spiritual communion also with the Lord.
There are many prayers that help us in this regard.
Two Ways of Receiving Communion
 Since Vatican II, certain aspects of the liturgy have changed. And this
change also has been made in the way we receive communion. There are now two
ways of receiving communion: one is through the traditional way of receiving it
on the tongue and the other way of receiving communion is through one's hands
cupped in reverence. There has been a circular published in many local churches
that has been made to say that neither one should be imposed. The Eucharistic
congregation is free to choose which method of receiving communion they would
wish to employ. Those who are more theologically inclined see certain
implications in these two gestures of receiving communion. They say that
receiving communion by the tongue suggests a more submissive, a more passive,
and a kind of childlike way of receiving the Lord's body. Then they say that the
method of receiving communion by the hand involves a more dynamic, a more
active, and a more mature way of receiving the Lord's body. Whichever way would
bring the person to a greater love for Christ and His sacrament is what would be
best for him. For some, receiving communion by the tongue would help them in
strengthening their relationship with God. For others, receiving communion by
the hand would just the same help them in strengthening their relationship with
God. We should choose which method of receiving communion would improve and
strengthen our relationship with God and His Church.
A Life of Grace: A Life Steeped in the Eucharist
The Church teaches that the Eucharist is the source and summit of all
Christian life. Therefore, receiving communion every Sunday brings us to Jesus,
the source of Christian life. And receiving communion every Sunday, brings us to
God as the Alpha and the Omega - from whom we live, move, and have our being.
Communion is a way of being nourished in God's grace so that we may be given the
strength and the fortitude to withstand all of life's challenges and problems.
Usually, once a week is all that is required of us to go to communion. It is
enough to nourish us with the graces we need to perform our Christian duties and
obligations well. However, if one has the opportunity to do more than what is
required then all the much better. Attending the Eucharist everyday and going to
communion daily can also be a devotion that will make us cling to God in utter
trust and fidelity and also make us strong in our relationship with Him.
Together with Confession, Communion can be a great source of strength for the
Catholic. And in turn, all Catholics who avail of God's graces through the
sacraments of Confession and Communion strengthen both these institutions and
the institution of the Church as a whole.
Let us not be like the others who are not fervent in their love of the Eucharist
and the sacrament of communion. Let us always strive to do our best to revere
this sacrament for only in communion do we truly bring Christ into our very
being. Receiving Him in communion and through the Eucharistic celebration, we
become more like Him in the depths of our being. The more we frequent the
Eucharist and the more we receive communion in a state of grace, then the more
we contribute to the desire of the Lord to bring light to the world. So, if we
have that extra time, that extra opportunity to go to Mass and receive
communion, then let us not hesitate to do so. Every time we receive communion,
we receive a foretaste of the life we shall always have for eternity. And this
gift is not given to everyone. Let us not miss on this opportunity for God wills
that we know His love and that we will be saved by Him.
Dennis-Emmanuel Cabrera - December 26, 2004
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