Matt Fradd's Blog, page 9

Is It a Sin to Receive the Eucharist in the Hand?

Among the many liturgical debates that plague our Church is the question of receiving the Eucharist in the hand.

Catholics who lean more traditional say that this practice is less reverent than receiving the Eucharist on the tongue. Radical Traditionalists go even further and say it’s sacrilegious and sinful to do so. But then there are Catholics who regularly receive our Lord in the hand without questioning it.

Let’s get to the bottom of this.

It is NOT a sin to receive the Eucharist in the hand.
This assumes you receive in a state of grace, with reverence and care for the Eucharist so that particles don’t drop on the floor.

The Church has given widespread permission for this practice. Communion in the hand also seems to have been the norm in the East and West during the first few centuries of the Church (though with some differences from our modern practice).

Receiving on the tongue is arguably better.
Yes, someone receiving in the hand could have a more reverent heart than someone receiving on the tongue. But, receiving on the tongue makes it easier for many people to cultivate the right disposition to receive our Lord.

When you receive on the tongue, there is less risk of particles falling on the floor. Also, if you receive on the tongue while kneeling, it is a gesture of adoration.

We handle ordinary bread with our hands and rarely let someone put our food in our mouths. Allowing the priest to place the Eucharist on our tongue highlights that we are consuming something special.

Ultimately, you should focus on your own heart and not judge your neighbor.
It’s wrong to judge anyone who receives on the hand or tongue unless they’re clearly acting in an irreverent manner.

Instead, work on preparing your heart to meet our Lord in Holy Communion, whatever way you choose to receive Him.

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If God Is Everywhere, Do We Really Need the Eucharist?

God is everywhere. Nothing exists without Him. His goodness and beauty are reflected in the trees, the sun, your loved ones, and even in your morning cup of coffee.

But if God is everywhere, why do Catholics put so much emphasis on the Eucharist? Why seek God in the consecrated host in a parish miles away when He’s present in the very air you breathe?

God makes Himself present in creation in different ways.
He manifests Himself to all things in three ways: essence, presence, and power. This is what we mean when we say God is present in nature or art.

He is present to the elect in an additional way — through sanctifying grace, which gives them a share in His divine life. Not everyone has this gift dwelling in them.

The Eucharist is a completely unique manifestation of God. He is contained in the bread and wine both substantially and sacramentally.

“Sacramentally” means He is contained under the mode of a sign. The bread and wine are divided to signify the separation of Christ’s body and blood on the cross. The bread is made of many grains, and the wine of many grapes, signifying the unity of the Church, made of many nations and people. They also signify — and actually deliver — grace.

“Substantially” means the Eucharist truly becomes His body and blood. You can say God “intensifies” His presence with the host and chalice. Many Protestants believe the Eucharist is no more than a sign of Christ, but we believe it is literally Christ.

While a beautiful lake, a soaring melody, or a delightful meal does contain the presence of God, it is not a substantial presence. These things are not literally Christ’s body.

That’s why we seek out the Eucharist. It’s a presence far beyond what we could experience anywhere else. When the priest lifts the consecrated host at Mass, we behold our Lord face to face!

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Is Single Motherhood REALLY Heroic?

When a single woman chooses to give birth to her child rather than have an abortion, she’s often called a hero.

But is she really? Let’s look at this blanket statement more closely.

There are heroic elements to being a single mother.
God made man and woman to form a communion of love that lasts their entire lives. Both are designed to contribute — in their own ways — to the upbringing of their children.

When a woman is left to raise a child on her own, she has to take on some of her partner’s responsibilities in addition to hers. She may have to seek support from her extended family, parish, or social services, which can feel humiliating.

A single mother who willingly carries out these tasks for the love of her child is a hero. She reflects Christ’s sacrificial love for us.

On the other hand…

We shouldn’t call someone a hero simply because they refused to abort their child.
We have a basic duty NOT to kill. Loving our children is supposed to be a given, even if some people don’t follow this primordial instinct.

Imagine a mother whose 7-year-old child misbehaved so badly she couldn’t stand him anymore. No one would call her a hero for not killing her child. We should also avoid such expressions when speaking of the unborn.

Pope Francis recently said that we are all called to be mothers and fathers, biologically and/or spiritually. It’s not heroic to be a mom or a dad. It’s how God designed us.

The real hero moms go above and beyond the basic expectations of motherhood. In our crazy world, there are many moms who have to overcome difficult obstacles to make sure their children are loved and protected.

We thank these hero moms who are especially loved by Christ for their sacrifices.

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Is Embryo Adoption Moral?

Many pro-life problems have clear answers. Abortion kills an innocent child; therefore, it is wrong. In vitro fertilization tries to make babies without sex, which is unethical.

But what about embryo adoption? This one is tough, and we don’t have clear answers at this time. On the one hand, the embryos are living human beings with dignity. However, they were created by immoral means. There’s a reason the baby factory in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” sends shivers down our spines. We instinctively react with horror at the thought of humans being manufactured outside of the sexual act.

Here are some reasons for and against embryo adoption.

Embryo adoption may be moral because the sin of embryo manufacture is over.
Rape is a sin, but the child that comes from it possesses full human dignity. The same is true of embryonic humans created in vitro. The immorality of their creation doesn’t detract from their humanity. It seems reasonable to allow them the chance to develop in a womb.

It may be immoral because the woman prevents conception of her own children for nine months.
When an embryo is placed inside a woman, that woman closes herself off to the creation of new life for a time. Couples are supposed to keep themselves open to life created through sex. Their own children take priority over someone else’s child.

It may be moral for infertile couples.
Since the couple can’t have their own children, the problems listed above don’t apply. This pertains only to cases where the man is infertile, as a woman’s infertility could affect her body’s ability to preserve the adopted embryo.

It may give the appearance of legitimizing the manufacturing of embryos.
Some couples avoid embryo adoption because they don’t want to appear to legitimize this act. Of course, even if embryo adoption is moral, no one is compelled by the moral law to adopt embryos.

We hope and pray that the Church offers more guidance on this issue in the near future. There are generous couples wanting to adopt these precious children in their earliest stages. But as we can see, many factors are involved. We’ll look to Christ’s Bride for direction rather than make a final judgment ourselves.

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Why You Should Get Married Young

A recent Pew Research report found that the percentage of U.S. adults who tied the knot by age 21 went from about 33 percent in 1980 to 6 percent in 2021. That’s a drastic change, and we’re seeing the societal implications already — fewer children and more lonely, unattached single young adults.

Young adults are putting off marriage for many reasons, which include wanting to establish their careers first and struggling to find their ideal partner.

While it’s true that God calls some people to marriage later in life (don’t despair, older singles!), most young people need to stop waiting and start considering marriage. Here are a few reasons why.

Waiting will not eliminate the cross of marriage.
Marriage can be a great joy, but it also comes with much suffering. This scares many young people away. They put off marriage in hopes that they’ll be more prepared down the road.

Truth is, you’ll never be fully ready for marriage. What good will waiting do? Chances are you’re suffering in your singleness right now. Just embrace the crosses and joys marriage brings!

Some of your “deal-breakers” are not a big deal.
Sure, you may have boxes you’re trying to check off. The two of you should share similar beliefs on faith, finances, family, and intimacy.

But does he have to make six figures and want to travel the world? Does she have to have blond hair and share all of your hobbies? Stop looking for the ideal spouse. Asking too much of your future partner will likely keep you single for too long.

Prayerfully examine your preferences and ask God to show you which you should let go of.

God probably won’t reveal your future spouse to you.
God’s not going to make flower petals rain from heaven when your future spouse walks into the room, nor will you receive an infallibly certain feeling that this person is meant for you.

You’ll likely meet several people who check your boxes and could make a good spouse. At this point, you prayerfully exercise a free choice. Once you marry that person, they become “the one,” and you embrace your life with them without looking back.

If you’re still waiting around for your spouse, stop! Start seeking them out now and don’t let the challenges of marriage scare you away.

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A Few Thoughts for the Overly Cynical

Let’s be honest: Many of us are cynical about the current state of the Church and the world. We are baffled by confusing statements made by Pope Francis and nervous about rising political tensions.

Be wary, for cynicism — no matter how justified — can destroy you. Here are a few points for cynical Catholics to keep in mind to preserve their sanity.

Don’t leave Peter because of Judas.
Yes, many of us have heard this phrase (or a variation of it) dozens of times and are tired of it. But guess what? It’s still true!

The Church has had many bad popes who were far worse than the current pontiff. For example, Pope Alexander VI had mistresses and doled out land to his children. If God preserved His Church through that destructive pontificate, He will lead us through the current one.

Truth doesn’t change due to circumstances.
Jesus promised that He would always be with the Church. This is just as true today as it was 2,000 years ago.

The problem is us — we get tired of living in a broken world. After dealing with the same problem over and over again, we may start to doubt God’s promises.

It’s during these moments you need to cling even more to the sacraments and prayer.

“Not even the wise can see all ends.”
These encouraging words from Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings” are just as true for our current state. No matter how bad things seem, God is able to guide it all to His glorious purposes. We’re living a story that guarantees a happy ending to those who remain faithful.

Focus on your vocation.
We tend to spend emotional energy on things we can’t control. We then wear ourselves out and lose the drive to do God’s will.

Take a deep breath and ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of what He’s calling you to do. If you have a family, refocus your attention on loving and serving them. If you’re single, spend more time in prayer, work, hobbies, and cultivating friendships than fretting over the dire state of things.

Few care what you think.
This is not an insult: It’s freedom! Each of us has a limited perspective on things. Yes, we may have cheerleaders and haters, but the former will cheer on your anger, while the latter will complain about everything you say.

It’s not worth it. Focus on the eternal wisdom found in the Word of God and the liturgy. There, you will find the strength and peace to withstand anything. Take heart — God is with us!

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The Problem With In Vitro Fertilization

The Church forbids in vitro fertilization (IVF), even as an option for couples struggling to conceive a child.

But why? After all, the Church loves babies and asks married couples to be open to God’s gift of new life. Doesn’t IVF demonstrate this willingness to participate in God’s act of bringing children into the world?

Although a couple’s intentions may be good, IVF is ultimately the wrong path to take. This is because procreation shouldn’t be separated from sex.

Following God’s revelation in Scripture and Tradition, the Church teaches that sex and babies go together. While sex doesn’t always lead to children, couples shouldn’t artificially prevent this possibility. And children shouldn’t be created outside of the loving union of husband and wife.

IVF is the flip side of contraception. A person practicing contraception wants sex without the babies. A person using IVF seeks babies without the sex.

IVF ends up reducing the child — conceived in a petri dish — to a product the couple has paid for rather than receiving that child lovingly from God through the marital act.

If medicine can aid the marital act in achieving procreation, then it can be moral. This includes medications that enhance male and female reproductive organs to complete the marital act. Also acceptable are diets that help to improve vaginal lubrication and help the sperm travel to the egg.

The key is that these practices respect the connection between sex and babies. They operate within the system designed by God, not contrary to it.

Infertile couples often suffer intensely, knowing that they won’t be able to have children of their own. We should exercise compassion for these couples and pray that God comforts them.

They do have another option. The couple may choose to adopt children. In doing so, they can fulfill God’s mandate to the first couple (Adam and Eve): “Be fruitful and multiply.” The fruit is the love they give to the children they adopt, who in some cases may not receive it otherwise.

Such love is powerful and leaves a lasting mark on these children, revealing to them the infinite love of their heavenly Father.

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How to Make REAL Changes This Year

As Christians, we always need to be seeking conversion in Christ. But two major temptations can hinder us when we’re trying to grow closer to God. They are really two extremes that we need to avoid in order to receive the graces necessary to genuinely convert more deeply to Christ. Let’s examine both of them.

Giving up on Conversion
This often happens when we find ourselves back in the same place over and over again without seeing real change. It can occur after we’ve stayed up too late the night before or resumed bad habits, and we’re ready for the day to be over before it even begins.

We find ourselves saying, “Sure, I was excited and fiery for the faith at the beginning. But it’s been a year (or five or 10 or 25 years), and I’m not living any differently. Why get my hopes up that anything will change?”

Naive “Positive Thinking”
This temptation often comes about when we’re not taking the spiritual journey seriously enough. It makes us assume things will get better without us making any changes to our lives.

This person will be convinced that this time, their faith will stick, and their virtue will grow. The problem is they haven’t worked on their habitual sins at all, they haven’t tried to get rid of their unhealthy habits, or they haven’t even started praying! This temptation leads to a presumption that God will make us holy without our accepting and surrendering to His will and workings in our lives.

The Right Way
In reality, neither approach leads to real conversion. It’s true that sometimes we can’t see how God is working in our lives and that sometimes we feel like we’re in a rut. But we should consider the story of the Incarnation. Nobody- including Joseph, Zechariah, Elizabeth, and even Mary- saw it coming. God surprised everyone at the perfect moment, even though it had been a long time since His prophecy had been made.

We also can’t forget that accepting the Lord’s grace and working in our soul is a real step in our conversion. We must persevere, do the work, and endure in true Christian hope. The Lord is faithful and He will make you a saint if you let Him.

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How to Make Friends in a Lonely World

Loneliness has reached epidemic proportions. According to a recent Meta-Gallup survey, “nearly one in four people worldwide…feel very or fairly lonely.” (Ironic, really, since social media connects us across the nation and globe.)

We can point to many reasons for this: the pandemic, declining participation in communal worship, and an increase in the amount of time spent online.

If this trend continues, the results will be devastating for individuals and society. We need friends. As St. Thomas Aquinas said, “Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures and without friends even the most agreeable pursuits become tedious.”

If you feel lonely, here are some tips for connecting with people and building long-lasting relationships.

Reach out to others.
If you’re waiting for someone to reach out to you, consider this: Many people are just as lonely as you and waiting for someone to approach them.

Ask God whether He’s calling you to initiate a connection with someone. It could be the man or woman you notice sitting alone at Mass and leaving directly afterward. Or maybe it’s the new person you see at a parish event.

God may want you to start a community of Catholics revolving around a common interest. If your parish doesn’t provide great social offerings, talk with your pastor about creating a group.

If you’ve already made a connection with someone on social media and feel comfortable enough, ask to meet them in person.

Cultivate relationships that seem most likely to deepen.
You may have a lot of acquaintances and wonder if some of them may be potential friends. If you have a lot in common with an acquaintance — such as a shared hobby or passion for growing in the faith — make an effort to nurture that relationship.

Don’t feel compelled to further a relationship you have no interest in or time for, even if the other person wants to become friends with you. You have to pick and choose the best people to fit into your life.

God calls us to be charitable to all, but He doesn’t require us to be friends with everyone we meet.

While God sometimes may lead you through seasons of loneliness, He doesn’t want you to spend your life alone. Offer your loneliness to Him and pray that He reveals to you those people who will stand by your side and help you reach your full potential.

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Don’t Over-Romanticize the Pre-Vatican II Era

Many Catholics go to the Traditional Latin Mass because of its beauty and reverence, which they rightly contrast with the many abuses in Novus Ordo parishes. They drive past their neighborhood Novus Ordo parish to attend the Latin Mass an hour or more away.

But bad priests who celebrate careless liturgies have always existed, even when the Traditional Latin Mass was the norm prior to the Second Vatican Council (1962-65). If we’re not careful, our minds may form distorted perceptions of how “good” things were before the council.

Masses were rushed.
We have reports of Masses before Vatican II that were rushed and where the priest didn’t seem invested in the sacred actions. Some priests chose to do the requiem Mass for their daily Mass simply because it was shorter.

Many were inattentive.
Much of the Mass was silent. There is a certain beauty to that, but many people were disengaged and waiting for Mass to end rather than carefully following the liturgy and praying. Even before the council, the Church was encouraging people to be more attuned to the prayers and sacred actions happening at the altar.

None of this is meant to suggest that the liturgical changes that came after Vatican II were good or even needed. It simply serves as a caution against having an overly sanitized view of the Church of the past.

The Church has always gone through ups and downs. Yes, some periods of Church history were better than today. Others were arguably worse.

Just don’t let an overly rosy view of the past tempt you to separate from the Body of Christ.

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