Mexico is a crux for some great Orthodox Catholic practices. During my time there as a missionary, one practice in particular struck me as especially reverent- the acceptance of the Eucharist on the tongue. While serving, my wife and I were blessed enough to go to daily mass and this accepting-Christ-by-the-hand gringo was doing pretty well with receiving Christ directly on the tongue…

Until one quiet morning my wife and I were invited to celebrate morning mass with the Archbishop of San Juan de los Lagos. We felt humbled and honored that such an important person would be willing to share Christ with us and the four others with whom we served in our mission.

The whole celebration was quaint and tender. The chapel was a tiny, minuscule, wooden gazebo. Shoulder to shoulder we circled the altar and worshiped together in the liturgy and when it came time to receive Christ, the apex of the event ensued.

I took my place behind my wife and prepared to receive Christ. As the Archbishop reached into the paten, I opened my mouth, closed my eyes and waited. I didn’t need to wait long, for as soon as my trap was opened, the Archbishop’s second knuckle was halfway down my throat. I gagged and instinctively brought my teeth down on the poor Priest’s hand. I was able to merely graze his skin with my front teeth, but considering his age, I was still very worried that I might have drawn blood.

Coming to my senses, I jerked my head backwards to keep from harming the Bishop and maintained the holy Bread in my mouth. Since I was the last in line to receive, no one noticed the whole debacle except the Archbishop and myself; they were all in private prayer, eyes closed and all. I, now with eyes wide open, looked at the Archbishop to make sure he was alright. He looked at me with a mischievous grin on his face as if to say

“Silly Americans. When are they going to start teaching you how to receive Christ correctly?”

I’m not sure why but lately my e-reader has been full of articles regarding the proper way to accept the Eucharist.

Should we create an altar with our hands and accept Him there?

Should we open wide our mouths to have Him touch our often sinful tongues?

Do we even deserve to be standing while He enters into our body?

Shouldn’t we prostrate ourselves or, at the very least, kneel down before the holiest of Sacraments?

I know for a fact that one of the worst ways to do this is to take the Priest’s hand as a side dish. I’m curious, though, how do you accept the Eucharist? I’d also like to hear your stories of Eucharistic hilarity. If you need some more motivation, here’s another one you might enjoy.