Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is the sign and source of our unity.

I’d like to talk about three things we do during Communion that unify us. (The bishops’ website has a fuller explanation https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass/liturgy-of-the-eucharist/the-reception-of-holy-communion-at-mass.)

First, the Communion Procession unifies us. At Christ's invitation, extended by the priest acting in Christ's person: "Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb," we move forward to receive the Body and Blood of Christ which is the sign and the source of our unity.

“In the Communion Procession, we join the countless ranks of all the baptized who have gone before us, our loved ones, the canonized and uncanonized saints down through the ages, who at their time in history formed a part of this mighty stream of believers.”

Subverting our current societal divisions, the Communion Procession unifies us. Conservative and liberal, vaccinated and unvaccinated, masked and unmasked, rich and poor, immigrant and native American, gay and straight, newcomers and old-timers, sinners and saints, process together to the altar of the Lord.

We are a pilgrim people. We are not home yet but walk on the way together. Like the ancient Israelites fed by manna from heaven in their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, we are strengthened by the Body of Christ in our common journey to eternal life.

Second, the Communion Antiphon unifies us. Standing in the check-out line at Aldi’s grocery, I have yet to hear anyone singing. In the Communion Procession, though, we sing.

“The Communion Chant is a hymn in praise of Christ sung by the united voices of those who believe in him and share his life.” We sing from the moment the priest receives Communion until the last person has received Communion. Like the fans singing together at a baseball game, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” singing the Communion song together unites us.

“For some, however, the singing of this hymn is perceived as an intrusion on their own prayer, their private thanksgiving after Communion. In fact, however, this hymn is prayer, the corporate thanksgiving prayer of the members of Christ's Body, united with one another.” When we sing once, we pray twice. We are praying when we are singing!

Once the tabernacle is closed, the Communion hymn ends and the assembly can be seated. The time for individual prayer is in the silence after everyone has received Communion and the tabernacle doors are closed.

Third, receiving Communion unifies us. The communicant makes a reverent bow before the host held by the minister. He or she lifts up their open hands, one on top of another, as to receive a gift. (It is not appropriate to reach out with the fingers and take the host from the minister.) The minister says, “The Body of Christ.” The communicant responds, “Amen” in faith that this small wafer of bread and the wine in this chalice are in reality the Body and Blood of Christ the Lord.

The communicant immediately consumes the host. Do not take the host back to your pew. Jesus said, “Take and eat,” not take and carry out. We receive Communion before the altar.

Normally, those who receive Communion may receive either in the hand or on the tongue. As the risk of transmission of the coronavirus lessens, Bishop Noonan will let us know when we are able again to offer Communion on the tongue.

You must be in communion to receive Communion. If you are not Catholic but come to Mass with your Catholic family, talk to me. If you are married but not married in the Catholic church, talk to Deacon Dave. Our Communion reflects the reality that we are in communion with the Church.

How we dress shows respect for the Mass and Communion. Special clothes for a special day! If you can wear those clothes at the beach, wear them at the beach. If you can wear those clothes at a wedding, now we’re talking. That’s what you wear for Mass and Communion.

Those receiving Communion must keep the Eucharistic fast and not eat or drink (except water and medicine) for at least an hour before Communion. Who eats a sandwich on their way to dinner at a restaurant? The Eucharistic fast prepares our body to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.

The word “Communion” says it all. How we prepare, process, and sing deepens our communion. We receive Communion with God through the Body of Christ. We become what we eat--one body, one spirit in Christ. We are sent in the Spirit into a bitterly divided world with the good news, God makes us one in Communion!

In Christ,

Father David