Posted by Anne Ward on May 13, 1999 at 12:11:49:
I said I would be back..and I am! jb..you or Phil may be able to answer this question. I have asked my priest and several people on some other sites and have not received what...to me...is a viable answer. So here goes:
At the Last Supper and as repeated in I Cor., Jesus says to his disciples...take, eat, this is my Body; take, drink..this is my Blood. Not the exact words et al but you get the idea. He was giving them BOTH the body [bread] and blood [wine].
I was received into the Catholic Church...alleluia!!!...this past Easter Vigil..and all along at daily Mass people take ONLY the host ....on Sundays one receives both the host and wine.
Question: since Jesus used both as he instituted the Last Supper, why not both at all times NOW/
One answer...you can't divide Jesus...ok..but He did when he said this is my body....this is my blood.
It was to correct an error that was implying that you could not receive Jesus in total unless you took both. So to prove the error incorrect, the Church says you can take one and receive Jesus in total. Okay...but since error is corrected, why not revert back to the way He instituted it?
I know that sounds picky, but if you noticed, when one receives only ONE kind, it is always the bread; never just the wine......and I know that comes from taking a verse out of John 6..sort of out of context.
anyway...any help out there for why we, in the Catholic Church, do not receive both body and blood at all times?
blessings, and grace,
anne