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Rabbi Marc Gellman began his studies in 1969 at the University of Wisconsin, and went on to attend the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of ...
Read more about By Rabbi Marc Gellman, Tribune Media Services.
Shaking Hands Far Germier Than Receiving Communion
By Rabbi Marc Gellman, Tribune Media Services
Q: I'm not germ-o-phobic, but I do have an issue with receiving the
Eucharist these days. As I witness the eucharistic ministers at the
alter preparing the gifts, I often see eye-rubbing, nose-scratching,
hands covering mouths for coughs, and fingers blotting runny noses.
Then, these ministers hand out the Eucharist.
The wine sip is an act I've eliminated completely due to the fact that a single wipe with a cloth can in no way remove the germs from the person's mouth who drank from the cup before me. I don't want to even get into the backwashing that could occur.
In light of the seasonal flu/swine flu outbreak, can you recommend a safe way to receive these gifts? Or am I opening a Pandora's box that could be detrimental to my fellow Catholic worshippers? - D., Dix Hills, N.Y., via godsquadquestion@aol.com)
A: The flu pandemic has made your question one of international concern and, I must say, irrational worry. The basic rule already followed by priests, and hopefully by communicants, is to simply practice good hygiene.
Priests clean their hands with hand sanitizers before Communion. However, some changes have occurred in Eucharistic rituals in response to valid health concerns. First, the Sign of Peace, during which parishioners greet those around them with a handshake, has been replaced in some dioceses with only a smile and a nod of the head.
As far as Communion is concerned, there are two "species": bread and the wine, that are, by Catholic Christian belief, transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ. It's not obligatory to receive both bread and wine during Communion; the wine is not obligatory, while the wafer is necessary. Receiving only the Eucharist wafer is acceptable.
I'm told that the Brooklyn Diocese no longer offers wine at all. I've also read that the Anglican Communion in England (The Church of England) now recommends that ministers intinct all wafers (dipping each in the wine before handing it to a communicant) to reduce the chance of spreading germs, but still allow communicants to receive both bread and wine. Check with your pastor to determine his preferred practice at this time.
Flu fears are even more epidemic now than the flu itself. I urge you not to be afraid and not to panic. All of us often shake hands with people and stand near sneezing folks in our daily lives, and this is far more dangerous than any Eucharistically-communicated germs.
I don't take Communion because it's not a ritual of my faith, but if I were Christian, I would have no worries. We bless the wine on the Sabbath, and my Cantor, or the bar or bat mitzvah children, drink it without sharing. They don't leave me any wine but, frankly, it's not that good. Have trust and glory in the saving mystery of your faith.
Q: I'm a Christian who believes all faiths are equal.
Pondering what "this" is all about here on earth and concluding (so far), that our journey on earth is but one leg of a much longer journey, therefore we have the need to develop emotionally and spiritually as we encounter both good times and adversity.
All humans possess good and evil. To the extent that we can enable good to overcome evil has a bearing on some form of existence after death. Obviously, we'll never know the answer, given our ability as humans to mess things up. But, that said, do you have any insights? - G., Raleigh, NC, via godsquadquestion@aol.com)
A: You're asking if we'll ever triumph in the battle of good over evil. One reason you feel such despair is that we are indeed broken by sin. However, I urge you to also realize that news organizations are generally not interested in revealing all the good deeds being done. We're forced to endure a parade of gruesome stories, which can skew our perception of what's really happening in the world.
In reality, people are helping other people all the time. I urge you to take hope from the examples of goodness you can witness all around you.
I also believe that your question comes from a society fixated on scoring things. You want to know who will win the battle of good and evil in our world. I believe this is the wrong question. Rather, you might consider asking yourself this question: "Did I do my part to bring about the victory of goodness in our broken world today?" Every other question is beyond our capacity to answer.
As the poet T.S. Elliot wrote, "Trying is all that matters. Everything else is just not our business." That is not only what I believe, but it is what I try to do. Do good things and everything else will take care of itself.
(Send QUESTIONS ONLY to The God Squad, c/o Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207, or email them to godsquadquestion@aol.com.
(c) 2009 THE GOD SQUAD DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
This news arrived on: 10/22/2009
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Posted Comments:
10-28-2009 18:10
jb wrote:
to annonymous who wrote on 10-27-2009 11:13
You say there is no evidence for the claims of Chriatianity. What kind of evidence are you looking for? If you are looking for scientific evidence, you are looking in the wrong place. There is plenty of HISTORICAL evidences for the claims of the truth of Christianity. Read "Who Moved the Stone" by Frank Morrison, who was an athiest who decided to write a book disproving the resurrection. But instead of doing the usual athiestic hatchet job on a straw man he did some research. The more he looked the more he came to the conclusion that he couldn't write the book he had envisioned. "Who moved the stone" was the book that came of his research, and changed him into a Christian believer. I recommend it to you. You could google Jesus central and peruse there also. May God bless you
10-28-2009 18:08
jb wrote:
to no name on who wrote on 10-27-2009 11:13
You say there is no evidence for the claims of Chriatianity. What kind of evidence are you looking for? If you are looking for scientific evidence, you are looking in the wrong place. There is plenty of HISTORICAL evidences for the claims of the truth of Christianity. Read "Who Moved the Stone" by Frank Morrison, who was an athiest who decided to write a book disproving the resurrection. But instead of doing the usual athiestic hatchet job on a straw man he did some research. The more he looked the more he came to the conclusion that he couldn't write the book he had envisioned. "Who moved the stone" was the book that came of his research, and changed him into a Christian believer. I recommend it to you. You could gooogle Jesus central com and peruse there also. May God bless you
10-27-2009 11:13
wrote:
ALL FAITHS ARE INDEED EQUAL
... Regardless of what the Bible says, every religion and denomination within a religion claims that their faith is the truth faith and they have their own sets of scriptures to "prove" that "validity".
And since there is no true evidence in any religion (including Christianity), all faiths are to be considered equal in a modern society. Period.
And since there is no true evidence in any religion (including Christianity), all faiths are to be considered equal in a modern society. Period.
10-26-2009 11:31
Sandra Helms wrote:
All faiths are NOT equal
I agree with what Ralph Jackson wrote. All faiths are NOT equal because only one faith is in the One True God, "I AM", Jehovah, Yahweh, of the Holy Bible. He is the Creator, the Father, and in God, we find our Salvation thru His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. However, not all will believe this teaching. That is why we have so many other "faiths" and so-called religions, other so-called "Gods". God knows that many will be deceived and/or deny Him. But He gave all humans free will to make that choice. We need to fervently pray for all the many, many precious ones out there that they will find Christ. But the Bible clearly states in Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter the narrow gate For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter throught it. But small is the gates and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it". That narrow gate is Jesus Christ.
10-25-2009 09:10
ralph jackson wrote:
ALL FAITHS ARE EQUAL
There is a lot of talk about all faiths being equal today and that each one is on a different journey to the same God. I would like to know which Bible those Christian's who believe this are reading? My second question to them is: Is Jesus the Divine Son of God? If He is, then how can all faiths be equal. It is only the Christian faith that has a Saviour - all other faiths promote self help to get to their heaven. When do these other faiths take up their cross and follow after Jesus (Matth 10:38).
Jesus Himself said: "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man can come to the Father except by Me". John 14:6. Love others of other faiths and witness Christ to them, but don't promote the ecumenical agenda which brings Christ from His divine throne to that of a mere prophet.
Jesus Himself said: "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man can come to the Father except by Me". John 14:6. Love others of other faiths and witness Christ to them, but don't promote the ecumenical agenda which brings Christ from His divine throne to that of a mere prophet.
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