During the pandemic, many decisions were made in an effort to reduce the spread of the COVID virus. Some of these practices were quite helpful (social distancing) and others were less than helpful (wiping down groceries with disinfectant). And some of these practices remain useful (wearing a mask when feeling ill) and others are no longer necessary (only allowing people to sit in every-other pew). As I led my congregation in Salisbury, we made several adaptations at the Eucharist such as using pincers (tongs) to hand out the host and receiving only the host, not wine. However, as we were able to return to more standard Eucharistic practices, we did.
You’ve likely noticed that Grace and St. Stephen’s is a fairly “intinction-heavy” (dipping the wafer in the wine) congregation, stemming not only from the COVID pandemic, but the history of the city being a tuberculosis treatment and recovery hotspot. My hope is that we can move in the direction of sharing in the common cup and reduce the number of intinctions. Many members are newer to the Episcopal Church and simply follow the pattern that they see at the rail, so these norms are important.
There are several reasons why I am encouraging a greater usage of the common cup.
1) This is the expectation laid out in the Prayer Book: “Opportunity is always to be given to every communicant to receive the consecrated Bread and Wine separately.” While there is a provision to receive both simultaneously, it is not the standard. Traditionally, intinction was only used when giving the Sacrament to the sick.
2) While it may seem that intinction is more sanitary, self-intinction is actually the least sanitary method of receiving the wine. You can ask any chalice bearer about how many fingers go into the wine for a fuller explanation. Multiple studies have shown that the risk of drinking from the common cup is “negligible.” Furthermore, the alcohol content in port wine, the wiping of the chalice, and the anti-microbial properties of silver all dramatically reduce the risk of spreading germs. There is no sanitary reason to allow for self-intinction and no significant risk in sharing in the common cup.
3) A central theological truth of the Eucharist is that the Sacrament is always received, never taken. This is why we come forward with empty hands and receive the Eucharist. As we sometimes pray in the Prayer of Humble Access, “We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table.” The prayer continues with a note of Grace, “But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us.” We receive not because we are worthy, but because we are loved and shown mercy. Self-intinction obscures this Grace as it is a form of “taking” instead of “receiving.”
4) Scripture’s plain sense is that we drink the wine (“This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:25; “Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.” Mark 14:23). Given the theological and scientific realities of the common cup, there is no compelling reason to amend or ignore our Lord’s instruction in most situations.
5) There is an element of unity that comes from sharing in the common cup, and this has been true for millennia. Christians have always been accused of being odd for our Eucharistic practices (early Christians were accused of being cannibals for eating human flesh). Though some are not comfortable drinking after others, that discomfort actually helps us to demonstrate that we are one Body.
6) Several dioceses and congregations, based on the above reasoning, discourage self-intinction. There have even been calls made to the House of Bishops to discourage self-intinction on a Church-wide basis.
All this being said, pastoral sensitivities must also come into play, lest any policy end up denying full Eucharistic participation to anyone. Those who are severely immunocompromised and may not be willing to accept even minimal risks, the sick who are unable receive the chalice due to physical constraints, those who know they have an active and contagious infection, those with open sores, young children who are not yet able to drink from the chalice, and those in recovery from alcohol addiction may, understandably, choose not to drink from the chalice and should still have the option to receive the Sacrament in both kinds. It is not the intention to deny the Sacrament in both kinds to anyone. We will also continue to make provision for those who need gluten wafers.
The pastoral provision that I, and many other congregations, have found to be a theologically sound and practical solution is to have the clergy intinct the host in the common cup (ensuring no fingers end up in the wine) and then either place the host in the open palms of the recipient or directly on the tongue, if so chosen. However, the preference is for as many as are able, to share in the common cup.
Beginning in Advent, we will move towards this Eucharistic norm and will no longer offer self-intinction vessels. If you need to have the clergy intinct the wafer for you, you may indicate this by placing your hands palm side down (instead of up) and this will indicate to the clergy to intinct the host into the wine before giving it to you.
***Summary: Drinking from the common cup is encouraged and commended. Intinction will remain a pastoral allowance, but will no longer be self-intinction.
I am announcing this change well in advance of Advent so that the parish is informed with ample notice and that there is sufficient time for concerns to be expressed and worked through well ahead of the change. If you have questions or concerns about this change, do please reach out to me. While I know that some may not prefer this change, how we express and work through our disagreements is a sign of our unity in Christ and I welcome such conversations as an opportunity to practice holy listening and mutual concern.
Let us keep the feast.
