This example is as good as any reason to bring back Communion on the tongue. It's not 100% foolproof, but the Host would not be in such good condition so as to put it up for sale.
Today, I received an email from a priest-reader who asked that I let people know that a Consecrated Host from the Papal Mass was up for sale on Ebay and to ask people to flood them with email.
Not wanting to post from work, I did the next best thing and sent word out to several key bloggers whom I know have heavy readerships. A short while later, I discovered that Ebay did, in fact, remove the item and emailed them back with this update.
A FEW COMMENTS
Ebay has removed the item because it is now against their policy after a public outcry from prior sales/attempts. However, our work is not yet done.
- We will never know whether it was truly a Consecrated Host from the Papal Mass in New York. In fact, we will never know if it was truly a Consecrated Host at all. However, more than likely it truly Our Lord. We should assume as much.
- If this is the Body of Christ, it is the first, and perhaps the only sacrilege we will truly have witnessed. How many other Hosts were removed from the stadium?
- This is a reminder that each and every day, we need to make reparation for the sins committed against the Blessed Sacrament around the world. It's not enough to talk about this matter or be disgusted by it. Christ was nailed to a cross by people whom he asked his Father to forgive because, "they know not what they do." We need to spend time in Adoration specifically for reparation, and for conversion of those souls who more than likely, "know not what they do". So, they probably know it is not good to be selling online, but I mean, they are ignorant of the Real Presence.
- Some know what they do and desire a Consecrated Host for the purpose of desecrating it or using it in a black mass. For this, which goes on in various places around the world, we need to make acts of reparation and pray for the conversion of those souls.
If you don't have an Adoration chapel near you, then spend time before the Blessed Sacrament in any open parish, or in your home if that is not possible. Yes, you can adore God in your heart - it is a deep form of prayer.
Other forms of reparation would include other prayers, such as the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet.
It doesn't end there. You can offer sacrifices, such as giving up something you really like to eat or drink. Or, giving up a TV program and doing spiritual reading. As with all prayer, to make it pure, do an examination of conscience and make an Act of Contrition before you begin. If you find serious sin, go to Confession. You can still pray, and you can still make an Act of Contrition, but before you receive Holy Communion again, use the Sacrament of Penance.
SACRILEGES COMMITTED AT EVERY MASS
Attempting to sell a Consecrated Host on Ebay is pretty bad. However, receiving Holy Communion while in the state of mortal sin is also very bad. The Spotless, Holy Victim, is received by one who is unclean and it is very painful to Our Lord. With Communion lines so long and Confession lines nearly empty or non-existent, there are offenses being committed at each and every Mass.
Make daily reparations for these offenses, along with those that are a little more obscure.
While you can use a specific vocal prayer for an Act of Reparation, you can also direct your heart with intent to make your time before the Blessed Sacrament as such.
Many thanks to Gerald Augustinus for answering my email so quickly with a post drawing attention to this. And, a thanks to Ken at Hallowed Ground for the initial post, and to Fr. Darrell who emailed me earlier today.
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