Published: August 16, 2015

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

I won’t be preaching next weekend. We will instead on August 22/23 be hosting Father Matthew Bonk, C.Ss.R., for the “missionary appeal” mandated annually by the Diocese of Baton Rouge for each parish. He will be promoting the worldwide Redemptorist missions, which deserve our generous support. His personal experience as a missionary in Africa for a time should be interesting to hear about. (Oh, by the way, even though he’s lived in Baton Rouge for the last few years, Father Matthew is originally from Michigan, so his accent might be a little hard to understand! But I know you’ll pay close attention to what he says anyway, right?!!!)

Thus, while our five-Sunday series of Gospel readings taken from the well-known Bread of Life discourse in the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel ends next weekend, this weekend will be my last opportunity to consider the Most Holy Eucharist in the homily. I’ve tried to expose the various, important theological teachings of the Scriptures, applying them to our lives and the practice of our faith.

Yet it’s also important to deal with the practical. Some of this may sound a bit like carping, but I would be remiss if I didn’t point out this kind of thing occasionally. Maybe some of this can be a bit of an “examination of conscience” for us all as we try to make our experience of the Eucharist more effective.

First, be reverent not just in gesture but in every other external way. Dress acceptably for church; fast from food, drink and even chewing gum for at least an hour; genuflect or bow toward the tabernacle when you come into church; and maintain enough of a reverent silence when in church that you never disturb anybody’s else’s prayer or concentration. Bow your head before receiving Holy Communion, and answer “Amen” when the minister presents the Host or Chalice to you. When receiving the Sacred Host, hold your cupped hands out and let the minister place the Host in them; don’t grab!

If you choose to receive “on the tongue,” open your mouth wide enough and stick your tongue out far enough so that only the Host and not the minister’s fingers end up in your mouth. Don’t forget to spend time in prayer after receiving, thanking God for such a great gift.

Lastly on this topic, be on guard against disrespect shown to the Holy Eucharist. It’s not very common, and most often it’s childish irresponsibility or non-Catholic ignorance involved when it does happen, say when someone tries to walk off with the Sacred Host instead of consuming it immediately.

Yet, sadly, every now and then someone is overcome with evil and purposely attempts to desecrate the Blessed Sacrament by theft or worse. Should you ever notice something like this please inform the priest or an usher right away.

Sincerely in our Eucharistic Lord,

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