"Focus on Jesus, not on the rituals"?
In the comments of Alexandra's post below called "Breaking Bread," a reader writes:
I think you're too upset over it. Its not like they're going to go to hell if they give half to their younger brother or sister who, probably, will eventually be getting it anyway. I still don't understand the whole thing about making sure theres nothing of it left on the ground and covering it. I'm sure God isn't angry if theres a speck of Communion on the floor.Focus more on Jesus and not on rituals.
The host is the body, blood soul and divinty of Jesus. The kid isn't getting a cookie, he is getting Jesus. We don't want a spec or particle to fall on the ground our of adoration and love for our God. It is He who we receive in the Eucharist.
Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. 1 Corinthians, 27-29
The child probably wasn't aware that he was doing anything wrong by sharing the host, but his parents ought to know better.
By "rituals" I think you mean "sacraments." The Sacraments are the most tangible ways in which we receive God's grace. We don't have a more potent way to focus on Jesus.
I'll write more about this later today - I have to go to work now!
