The cup of blessing that we bless...

Why receive Holy Communion under both species, 

the Sacred Host and the Precious Blood? 

We in the United States are particularly blessed by the opportunity to receive Holy Communion under both species.  And, while the Church teaches that by partaking of either one or the other of the forms of Holy Communion, one receives the fullness of the grace of the Sacrament of Eucharist, we are nevertheless encouraged to receive under both forms.  Why? 

First, think about how many stories of Jesus depict him eating and drinking with his disciples.  The experience of eating and drinking (one event) has a particular resonance when it is shared in community; as such, the union of that community becomes communion,  a way of entering more deeply into relationship with Jesus and with His Body, the community of believers.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that, In the Eucharist, Christ gives us the very body which he gave up for us on the cross, the very blood which he poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  Hence, the Church says that, The sign of communion is more complete when given under both kinds, since the sign of the Eucharistic meal appears more clearly.  The intention of Christ that the new and eternal covenant be ratified in his blood is better expressed, as is the relation of the Eucharistic banquet to the heavenly banquet (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, n.240).  Sharing in both Eucharistic forms thus has value in that it reflects more completely the nature of Jesus’s sacrifice in terms of both Body and Blood, as well as the banquet that is to come.

At the Last Supper, Jesus invites his disciples to take and eat, but also to take and drink.  Together, they allow us to enter more deeply into his sacrifice and his gift, the sacred Meal, body and blood, that is Eucharist.

For more information on the Sacrament of the Eucharist, check out Fr. Stephen Bell's awesome video, "Sacraments 201:  Eucharist" on the Busted Halo website.

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