In our Eucharistic celebration, that is, the Mass, we are taking part in Jesus’ command from the Last Supper, “Do this in memory of me.” We celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection, and we partake in the paschal banquet. The Eucharist is both sacrifice and meal.
The ordinary minister of Holy Communion is the bishop, priest, or deacon. Our Sunday gatherings are often too large for one or two distributors especially if communion is distributed under both forms, the consecrated bread and wine. The Church allows lay people to assist in the distribution of the Eucharist. The technical name for these minsters is Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. In this case, extraordinary doesn’t mean surprising or remarkable. These people are in addition to the ordinary ministers.
A characteristic of these Extraordinary Ministers is reverence for the Eucharist. Our liturgical documents mention reverence in relationship to demeanor, attire, and the handling of the consecrated bread and wine. The minister has a special relationship to the communicant as he or she offers that individual the Body or Blood of Christ. It is a ministry of presence which includes making eye contact and having an invitational facial expression. We are helping in the spiritual feeding of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are companions on our journey of discipleship. The word companion means “with bread.” We are breaking bread, sharing this holy bread, with each other. That action establishes a bond that should not be broken.
Liturgy forms us for how we are to act the rest of the week. What are we learning as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion? Could helping to feed people with this spiritual food and drink influence us to think about feeding people physically? Contributing to food shelves, volunteering at places that feed the hungry, and looking to solutions for systemic causes of poverty and hunger might be some ways to take what we are learning into our daily lives. When we distribute Holy Communion, everyone gets the same amount. Does this detail cause us to think about equality? Can we relate this spiritual meal with cooking itself, feeding family and friends as a holy act of nourishment and love? Jesus has given us his Body which has been broken and his Blood which was poured out for us. When we share in that Body and Blood, we are sharing in the mandate to lay down our lives for others.
If we feel called to be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at church, how might that ministry influence our actions and attitudes as we try to be the hands, feet, and voice of Christ in the world?
