"Our heavenly Father's 'Dinner Rules.'"

"Be on time for supper."

"When I call you for dinner, stop playing ball with your friends and come home immediately."

"Sit up straight in your chair."

"Don't put your water glass too close to the edge of the table; if you do, you might knock it onto the floor."

"Finish everything on your plate or no dessert."

"You do not leave the table until I or your mother give you permission."

Those were some of my father's "dinner rules." They were never written down anywhere, but they were verbally promulgated quite often. And whenever they were violated by yours' truly or his sister (as happened on more than one occasion), there was an appropriate punishment assigned and administered. As for a "domestic court of appeals"--in my parent's house there was none! In matters such as these, my father was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court--like it or not.

This morning I'd like to speak about some other dinner rules: the ones given to us by our Father in heaven. They're given in reference to the meal his Son died to give us, the Holy Eucharist. And they're given through his Son's mouthpiece on earth, the Church. I decided to deal with this issue in today's homily for two reasons: first of all, because it's Corpus Christ Sunday; and, secondly, because many of the heavenly Father's children seem to be unclear about some of his dinner rules, even though these are written down for us in Scripture, in Canon Law, and in various other documents.

So here they are . . . (This, by the way, is not an exhaustive list. These are just some of the more important ones.)

Rule # 1: When we come into the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, we should always genuflect (unless we are physically unable to do so!) As it says in the document Eucharistiae Sacramentum: "Genuflection on one knee is prescribed before the Blessed Sacrament whether it be reserved in the tabernacle or exposed for public adoration." We should also genuflect whenever we pass in front of the tabernacle or monstrance. This is a sign of our recognition that we are in the presence of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Rule # 2: Under ordinary circumstances, Protestants cannot receive the Eucharist in a Catholic Church. "Fr. Ray, does that mean President Clinton was wrong when he received Communion at a Catholic Mass in South Africa last year?" Yes, it does! And the corollary here is also true: Catholics cannot receive in a Protestant church--and that includes Christ Episcopal Church down the street! (I mention Christ Episcopal because I've heard stories about some of our parishioners receiving at funerals and weddings there!) Why these restrictions? Is the Church being mean-spirited? No, the Church is simply asking us to be honest. In 1 Corinthians 10: 17 (which we heard a few moments ago), St. Paul says, "Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." When we share Eucharist with others we are making a public statement that we are one in faith with them. That's what Paul is telling us in this text. But, unfortunately, we are not one in faith with our Protestant brothers and sisters. Yes, we share some elements of belief in common, that's true; but not enough such that we can come together and partake of "the one loaf."

Rule # 3: As we are told in Canon 919 of the Code of Canon Law: if we want to receive the Eucharist, we must fast for one solid hour from all food and drink (except water and medication). That includes gum, by the way. Obviously, if you are sick or unable to fast for a medical reason, then this rule does not apply to you.

Rule # 4: Under ordinary circumstances, if we have committed a mortal sin we must not receive Communion until we have gone to Confession. At the risk of offending some, I will now get specific, because when I make a statement like this, invariably some people will ask me later on: "But Fr. Ray, what sins would fit into that category?" Well, here are some of the more common ones (I base this on my 14 years of hearing Confessions): missing Mass on a Sunday or Holy Day without good reason; deep hatred for another person (remember St. John in his first letter equates hatred with murder); sexual sins like homosexuality, masturbation, pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, artificial contraception, sterilization. And, of course, if a person is involved in an invalid marriage, he must not receive until after the marriage is validated. Now if that is your situation, please do not despair or get angry; simply make plans to see a priest, to discuss what needs to be done to straighten the matter out.

"Fr. Ray, these are very radical ideas." No they're not. In fact, almost all of them can be found on the inside front cover of your missalette! There you will find the official guidelines for receiving Communion given to us by the Catholic bishops of our country. And please notice what they say about those who are unable to receive the Eucharist for one reason or another. This is important, and can be a source of consolation. They say, "All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another." In other words, they are encouraged to ask Jesus into their hearts so they can have a "spiritual communion" with him. They cannot receive him eucharistically, but they can (if they choose) receive the Lord in another way. Here at St. Pius I also encourage those not receiving Communion to come up to me with their arms crossed over their chest in order to receive a blessing. (But please keep in mind, this last one is a local dinner rule. This type of blessing is not mandated by the Church, and it's not given everywhere.)

Finally, a few quick rules on receiving:

Number 1: when we approach the altar, we should do so with reverence. I suggest folding one's hands in this fashion; unless, of course, we have a bambino in tow--or two or three! In that case, please do not fold your hands and drop your child!

Secondly, our focus should be on whom we are about to receive, not on those who have already received--or on anything else, for that matter. We should be preparing for our encounter with the King of kings and the Lord of Lords!

Thirdly, if we choose to receive in the hand, we should make a "throne" for the Lord in this fashion.

Number 4: when the priest or extraordinary minister says, "The Body of Christ," we are to say, "Amen." Not "Thank you." Not "Have a nice day, Father"--or anything else. Nor are we to do an impression of Marcel Marceau and say nothing at all.

Number 5: If we receive in the hand, we are to take one step to the side and consume the Eucharist right there at the foot of the sanctuary. We are not to take Communion back to our pew--or home to our sick relatives. If someone at home is unable to come to Mass and wants to receive, let us know. We now have extraordinary ministers who are taking Communion to the sick of our parish every Sunday.