Comments for Catholic Beverages: Moored by Reason and Time at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 16 out of 16 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Sun, 19 May 2013 06:03:24 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9454 I understand it would be silly to dictate a color, when a choice might not be possible, but for my $.02 worth it just seems more logical to have something that actually resembles blood. Last time I checked, nobody's blood was white. Jem -- I get what you are saying, but I remember being at a Methodist service as an ignorant young teenager with some odd ideas about alcohol, and there's definitely still a sense of disappointment when they tell you it's not "real," it's just grape juice. It's a bit like finding out your favorite actor isn't the kind of guy you thought he was. - enness Sun, 08 Jan 2012 07:34:08 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9449 We get a little offended when people claim we "pray to a cracker". Let's give the Methodists the same respect for their practice that we hope others will give us. Although communion without the Real Presence seems a little pointless, that's what they believe and it shouldn't be derided. Even if they "Take a piece of white bread; drink a little Welch’s." - Jem Sat, 07 Jan 2012 20:43:08 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9444 prior to being baptised (last september), i had always had an adversion to all those people drinking out of the same "cup". at my baptismal mass (done just FOR me!!) the priest dipped the host into the chalice, thereby giving both species. while my poor health prohibts more regular attendance, all of the sunday masses i've taken communion at were handled the same way. i must also admit that i was very bothered by the "passed plate" method of the tiny cups of juice and little chunks of french bread, which was used because you "get more for the price." the understanding that both species aren't "required" doesn't prevent me from being disappointed when the mass is so crowded that the priests are too overwhelmed to "dip" the host. for the rtecord, they use a RED wine in our parish. - nic Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:38:37 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9440 I've always heard where ever 4 Catholics are gathered, you'll find a fifth.... - Dave F Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:59:36 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9435 One of the prisoners during our "Catholic Sharing Hour" questioned why Jesus provided MORE wine at Cana. Why would Jesus encourage potential drunkeness?? Good question. After much research, there could be a much weaker wine (e.g., lower alocohol content)that was used. If jesus wanted us to eat his body and drink his blood, we have to assume it would be helpful to all, practically and spiritually. In other words, drinking the wine would not be harmful to alcoholics. - Dick T Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:04:22 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9432 Pardon me if I am mistaken, but I think that prior to Vatican II, it was not the norm for the communicant to receive both species during Mass. The priest however did receive both the bread and the wine. There is nothing wrong that I've ever heard with not receiving the wine at all. - Lisa Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:53:30 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9385 @Tim: It's true almost everywhere — except at daily Mass. On Sundays, there are often too many people and too few priests/extraordinary ministers to manage both bread and wine. Lately there have been health concerns too (thus the hand-sanitizer dispensers that have popped up in churches). But this is surely an issue that needs addressing, although the Church's position is clear: "When both kinds are received, nothing more is received [than bread alone], but a fuller sign of the invisible reality of Christ is on display." - Brad Minerl Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:38:49 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9383 As an ex-Episcopalian, I've observed how few Roman Catholics even take wine at communion. It's usually just having the wafer popped in the mouth and back to the pews. - Tim Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:18:09 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9382 my church switched to some white beverage. (do not know if it is wine or juice) suspiciously as it was required to use linen instead of paper to wipe the precious blood. such a off-putting taste that i have declined to offer the cup as a eucharistic minister. the RCC seems to be foolishly lurching toward a literal interpretation of traditions. except, there is no way jesus offerred this beverage at his last supper. what gives? have we gone methodists? - mike flynn Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:42:04 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9380 @Fr. Basil: Of course I'm assuming you found something lacking in Methodist worship, which is why you're a priest. (Catholic or Orthodox? Again I assume: the latter.) And it's not that I find leavened bread odd exactly, but that it's canonically inappropriate in Catholic Communion and, therefore, worth mentioning. I'm sad to say I've never attended an Eastern-rite service, but I'm mildly surprised to read that leavened bread is acceptable. Without knowing all the history behind the canons, I'm assuming our Catholic Eucharist is celebrated with unleavened bread, because that's clearly what Christ broke and gave to the Apostles at His last seder. - Brad Miner Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:45:31 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9379 \I grew up attending a Methodist church where “communion” was received irregularly on the first Sunday of the month and involved a circular silver tray in the center of which was a glass dish with cut-up pieces of leavened bread. Around the tray’s perimeter were small holes in which were tiny paper cups of grape juice. The tray was passed – rather like the collection plate – aisle-by-aisle, person-to-person: Take a piece of white bread; drink a little Welch’s.\ In my limited experience with Methodist Churches, they usually knelt at the altar. And what's so odd about leavened bread? Eastern Churches use it all the time. - Fr. Basil Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:17:18 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9378 @ Brian Greaves: You read it right. Many times I've presented the gifts a Mass, and the wine in the clear cruet in our parish is always white — and sweet to the taste. Is it literally a Sauterne (which wine can be great)? Almost certainly not — it's domestic American, hardly an import such as Chateau d"Yquem. And, like it or not, Canon Law makes no specification about color. Nor should it. - Brad Minerl Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:29:06 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9377 Brad, Do I understand correctly when you say your Mass is celebrated with 'sauterne' ... a white wine. I've never come across this practice ever, and unless I'd read your relating the rules in your essay, I'd have regarded it as scandalous, verging on the sacrilegious. Every Mass I've been to has ben celebrated with red wine, and for many years the only allowed altar wine came from the vineyard run by the Jesuits at a town called 'Seven Hills' in the Claire Valley north of Adelaide. And since we've been allowed the chalice during Holy Communion, with the physical properties of the wine unchanged, we're able to enjoy the taste of a very good red. My commiserations in your only having celebrated the Mass in white wine only. - BRIAN GREAVES Mon, 02 Jan 2012 16:01:14 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9374 Beautiful, Brad. I would like to read more on your insights about your mother... - Austin Ruse Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:38:36 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9373 I always thought it strange that we should fill the chalice, made of precious metal and adorned with fine jewels, with such unworthy substances as what passes for wine solely because it is predicated with the word altar. Yet, as I write the thought has occurred that this may be symbolic of our unworthiness that is then changed into Him whom we consume. - Blake Helgoth Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:30:01 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/catholic-beverages-moored-by-reason-and-time.html#comment-9372 Mogen David at Mass; now that would be interesting. - Grump Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:03:34 +0100