By Deacon Oran Struecker
As a Deacon, distributing our Lord, I want to refresh our memory on how to receive our Lord at Holy Communion. It appears that there is some confusion on how to receive Him. When the minister says “the Body of Christ” or “the Blood of Christ”, we respond “Amen.” Amen signifies a personal “Yes” to Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and a commitment to being transformed by Him. It is a declaration of faith, assent, and belief that you are receiving Jesus in the sacrament and that you want to become one with Him.
We are to receive Him, not take Him. I have had people take Him from me, not waiting for me to place Him in their hands. When we take Jesus, rather than receiving Him, it is a sign of control. Our body language says, “this is mine and I deserve it”.
How we receive communion also communicates our beliefs about the Eucharist. When we are given a gift from a friend or family member, do we grab it out of their hands, or do we wait for them to give it to us? We receive that gift with love from them as they place it in our hands. It is the same with our Lord, waiting to receive that gift of His Love. Let Him be given to you.
There are two ways to receive Him, and it is a personal choice. The proper way to receive the Eucharist in your hand is to lay your hand flat, as if your hands are an Altar, with your non-dominant hand on top of your dominant hand. Then, use your dominant hand to pick up the Eucharist and place Him in your mouth, consuming Him immediately. To properly receive Him on your tongue, after your “Amen,” tilt your head back slightly, and stick out your tongue to meet the minister’s hand. Keep your tongue flat and still, and avoid moving your head until the minister has placed Jesus on your tongue.