Communion

Communion

     I came across a video today that I am … well… to be honest, not really sure how I feel about it. At first I must say that I was a bit weirded out about it but watched again and there is a message there that I never thought of before.  I have included the video below or click here and if you would like to view it before reading my commentary please feel free to and I would recommend to read it before so you can really understand where I am coming from.  Also below the video is Mondays readings. 

I receive Eucharist in my hand and except on few occasions I have done since first communion. I do not see anything wrong with receiving on the tongue I must say foremost but it has been the norm around me to receive in the hand. The video has me thinking about this practice for me at least. I am not saying I will for sure do this but must say that I never even thought about checking my palm after placing the Host in my mouth. That of course will be changing for sure. It is such a simple thing that I never thought of before. I wonder how many of us ever thought about this? 

  As I said the video uses an unusual way for us to examine this idea of Jesus on the Floor in the form of Eucharist but regardless it gives the message of reverence and to insure that we keep that no matter how we receive. 

Until tomorrow, God Bless, and always remember the reverence. 

Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 285

Reading 1

ACTS 14:5-18

There was an attempt in Iconium

by both the Gentiles and the Jews,

together with their leaders,

to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas.

They realized it,

and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe

and to the surrounding countryside,

where they continued to proclaim the Good News.

At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth,

who had never walked. 

He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him,

saw that he had the faith to be healed,

and called out in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet.”

He jumped up and began to walk about.

When the crowds saw what Paul had done,

they cried out in Lycaonian,

“The gods have come down to us in human form.” 

They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,”

because he was the chief speaker.

And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city,

brought oxen and garlands to the gates,

for he together with the people intended to offer sacrifice.

The Apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their garments

when they heard this and rushed out into the crowd, shouting,

“Men, why are you doing this? 

We are of the same nature as you, human beings. 

We proclaim to you good news

that you should turn from these idols to the living God,

who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.

In past generations he allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways;

yet, in bestowing his goodness,

he did not leave himself without witness,

for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,

and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts.”

Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds

from offering sacrifice to them.

Responsorial Psalm

PS 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16

R. (1ab) Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Not to us, O LORD, not to us

but to your name give glory

because of your mercy, because of your truth.

Why should the pagans say,

“Where is their God?”

R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Our God is in heaven;

whatever he wills, he does.

Their idols are silver and gold,

the handiwork of men.

R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

or:

R. Alleluia.

May you be blessed by the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.

Heaven is the heaven of the LORD,

but the earth he has given to the children of men.

R. Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Gospel

JN 14:21-26

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Whoever has my commandments and observes them

is the one who loves me.

Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,

and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him,

“Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us

and not to the world?”

Jesus answered and said to him,

“Whoever loves me will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.

Whoever does not love me does not keep my words;

yet the word you hear is not mine

but that of the Father who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you.

The Advocate, the Holy Spirit 

whom the Father will send in my nameB 

he will teach you everything

and remind you of all that I told you.”