Skip to main contentAccessibility feedback
Background Image

Is Receiving the Eucharist Under One Species Enough?

Tim Staples

Tim Staples explains from Scripture why we receive the same fullness of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist whether we receive only the body, only the blood, or both.

Transcript:

Host: This comes to us from Ashwith, I believe is watching in India, and it says–it asks if “you will explain why receiving the Eucharist in one species is enough, which,” he says, “is what happens a lot of times in India.”

Tim: Yes, great question, and what’s his name?

Host: Ashwith.

Tim: Ashwith, great question, and the reason is because Jesus Christ is fully present under each of the two species. So in other words, if you receive under both species, you’re not getting “more of Jesus.” No, you get the whole entire Jesus under either species.

And by the way, Biblically speaking, we have a sort of confirmation of this in 1 Corinthians 11:27, where St. Paul says “Whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” Two little different Greek words there; the Greek word is “ή,” it’s just one letter, an eta, for “or;” and “και” for “and.” Big difference. Whoever eats either one— right, eats either the sacred host or partakes of the cup, either one individually, that’s what’s being said here–in an unworthy manner is guilty of both. And why is that? Because of exactly what I said: Jesus Christ is fully, absolutely present under both species.

Now it is true, the Church encourages, especially in Sunday liturgy, to receive under both species, but that’s not because, you know, we’re getting “more of Jesus.” It is purely of symbolic value. It’s a fuller symbol to receive under both, but it’s not necessary, there’s no additional grace or anything like that. I remember a friend of mine in the seminary saying, concerning someone who said, “Well wouldn’t you get more, though if you received both?” You know, it’s not like you–if that were true, we should go up and go *sip* *sip* *sip* *sip* *sip* *sip* You know, “Give me more, give me more, give me more!” But no, you’re not getting any more, you get the whole Jesus under each species.

Host: Thank you very much for that question from India.

Did you like this content? Please help keep us ad-free
Enjoying this content?  Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us