Initially I thought this was just a
practical joke. I ignored it. However it seems that this is no joke. During the
World Youth Day Mass, Holy Communion was indeed distributed in plastic
disposable cups.
I have three comments.
My first comment is the same as those of the
Blogger from whose Blog these photos were taken: “One day the Lord will call to account the innumerable outrages
committed by millions of believers, thousands of priests, hundreds of bishops,
dozens of cardinals and maybe even some Pope”.
The second is that these people in this
photo below are clearly being extremely selfish. They have only one interest. That is
clearly to not lose their prize place right at the front. So, having received
Holy Communion, instead of moving aside so that those behind them can receive
too, note how they stubbornly keep their places. That causes a scenario where
people from behind are stretching out, groping, for Holy Communion. This is exceptionally
unfair and inconsiderate of those in the front. It also demonstrates that the organisers hadn't thought this process through. Should Holy Communion even be distributed in this scenario?
Finally, I think we need to be reminded that we profess to believe that in the “most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with
the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole
Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.’”[1] Does using disposable cups, or creating scenarios where people are scrambling over one another to receive Holy Communion, demonstrate this belief?
I didn't realize that happened. I think one of three things should have happened instead. 1. Holy Communion would not be distributed at all. 2. Holy Communion would only be distributed through proper vessels to those that could easily be reached (ie, front row or maybe second row). 3. Things should have somehow been organized better to allow more people to receive through some orderly fashion (this would have been difficult). I personally don't think that the Eucharist should be in a plastic cup for distribution, but that is not for me to decide. God will judge based on the intent, and I have to believe nothing negative, profane, or sacrilegious was intended here. The intent, I imagine, was simply to distribute the Lord to those able to receive him (and hopefully while in a state of grace). While things should have been better thought out and addressed, I don't believe any harm was intentionally done. Lord, have mercy!
ReplyDeleteAgreed Ben, I am sure that there was no malicious intent. That said, this scenario should not ave happened. Plastic disposable cups = sorry, no Blessed Sacrament.
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