My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
As we continue our series on reflections on the documents of the Second Vatican Council, this week we will concentrate on “The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church,” or “Lumen Gentium.”
The Council’s explanation of the nature of the Church has become second nature to us. Perhaps in the past, the Church was viewed as an organization, or a corporation, something like a pyramid with the Pope at the top; with Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Religious and laity on the bottom. Although we are a hierarchical Church, perhaps a better geometrical image might be a circle referring to the People of God, with the Pope in the center surrounded by clergy and the faithful with various responsibilities and ministerial designations.
For many, this was a sea change in the way of thinking. Certainly, it has not completely been absorbed by all members of the Church and truly not by the society at large. It is unfortunate that the Church is still seen in an institutional mode and not as the People of God on pilgrimage toward the final establishment of the Kingdom of God on Earth. This is what the Council tried to teach us all.
One of the clear attributes of Lumen Gentium is its presentation on the mission of the Church as the salvation of its members through a life of holiness. A life of holiness belongs to all members of the Church. Unfortunately, in the past it seemed that only those who were ordained or consecrated religious had a chance at holiness or needed to be holy.
Intimate Union with God
Again, we define holiness as an intimate union with God that allows us to reflect in our lives the holiness of the Trinity. It is the task of every Christian to live the baptismal grace of being incorporated into Christ and sharing in the priesthood of the faithful. Every baptized person participates in the priestly, prophetic and kingly attitudes of Christ Himself. Each one of these roles are played out in the life of every Christian to one degree or another. Some have more responsibility for the direction of the Church, others for the celebration of the Liturgy, while still others for the prophetic announcement of the Gospel.
All the people of God have a responsibility for establishing the Kingdom of God on Earth, which brings us to see the vision of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Church, when it heralds the Kingdom, becomes a sign, a light to the world as the title of the document indicates. The Church is that lighthouse that guides the world to a safe harbor and to the ultimate establishment of God’s Kingdom on Earth.
There are certain consequences that have come from this understanding of the nature of the Church. This has led to the opening of certain ministerial functions which were previously reserved to the ordained now to be shared with the laity, such as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and lectors. But this is not the heart of the change regarding the universal call to holiness. It goes much deeper than the participation in the liturgy, which is essential, but certainly not the goal of the call to holiness. Holiness must be exercised in our daily lives in the world in whatever state of life we find ourselves.
One interesting change that came from the renewed liturgy, as well as this document, was the manner of receiving Holy Communion. For some, this has caused great consternation. Yet, for others who understand this, it is a better view of the Church’s understanding of the universal priesthood of the faithful.
In the past, before the Second Vatican Council, there was an altar rail in each Church at which we knelt to receive Holy Communion on the tongue. With the innovations after the Second Vatican Council, we were permitted to receive Holy Communion standing and in the hand. To touch the Blessed Sacrament for most was an overwhelming and humbling experience. For some, it still is not easy to understand, as they prefer to receive on the tongue, which of course is obviously permissible.
However, for those who do receive Holy Communion in the hand, perhaps a little instruction on the proper reception is necessary. As I go from parish to parish, I recognize that there are many varieties of modes of reception of Holy Communion. Normally, if we are to receive in the hand, we should have one hand under the other. If we are right-handed, it would be the left hand on top, while if we are left-handed, it would be the right hand on top. This is so that the host may be placed in our hand as we form a kind of throne for the Blessed Sacrament. We then move a step over and consume the host, placing it on our tongue with the hand with which we are most comfortable.
Unfortunately, there are many variations of this reception. There are those who seem to be characterized as if they were lobsters, picking at the host, while others cannot decide if they want to receive on the tongue or in the hand. There are those, unfortunately, who have special needs and come up with canes and crutches and still attempt to receive Communion in the hand, which often puts them off balance.
Hopefully, this is just a reminder that the proper reception of Holy Communion is permissable on either the tongue or in the hand. I will also take this time to mention that those who wish to kneel for Holy Communion do, indeed, have that right. However, they should wait to the end of the Communion line so that other people receiving Communion do not trip on their legs, as, unfortunately, is often the case. Or, they should kneel to the side, so that their sudden fall to the knees is not disruptive to the Communion line, causing someone to trip or fall.
The better we understand the nature of the Church, the better members we will be. The People of God on pilgrimage to the Kingdom make their way by being light to the world and drawing their energy from the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.
The universal call to holiness, as articulated by this document, gives everyone a clear direction of putting out into the deep. Our personal lives and journeys toward the Kingdom of God enable us to show to the world God’s presence. Each one of us, as members of the Church, bears within us a light to all peoples.