The Cup Of Jesus’ Precious Blood
Fr. Ron Luka, CFM is a priest who does a lot of parish missions and retreats. He has gathered some frequently asked questions and gladly shares his answers with all. Here’s one: “Why should I receive from the cup?”
Because this is what Jesus asked for. He didn’t offer the cup as a suggestion or an option. He said: “Take and drink.” Not sharing the cup is like saying, “Thanks for offering your blood for us, but no, thanks!” At any meal, we eat and drink. It is common courtesy at a meal to take what’s put before us and an insult to the host or hostess to refuse what’s set on the table.
Sharing from the one cup expresses our unity, rich and poor, old and young, black and white, Anglo and Hispanic. Some people avoid the cup for that very reason. They’re missing one of the main points of the Eucharist, a meal celebrating and developing our union with God and one another.
It is not a health hazard. For years I’ve been drinking from the cup after the whole community has shared it and I haven’t gotten anything but much grace. I read an article by a doctor saying it's much more dangerous to breathe in church than to share the cup.
Thanks, Fr. Ron, for your insights. We’ll keep tuned in.