Several years ago our
parish priest appealed for volunteers to become Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion, better known as Eucharistic Ministers (EMs). I remember thinking
‘absolutely no way!’ Taking Holy Communion to the sick and housebound, offering
it during mass - even approaching the Tabernacle - was way beyond my comfort
level.
If I had to suggest a
possible candidate, I’d have said someone who attended daily mass, went to
weekly confession, frequented Eucharistic adoration as much as possible.
Someone who knew the words (and the tune) to Tantum Ergo, lit lots of candles, used holy water and the other
sacramentals, had read all of the Encyclicals, the Constitutions of Vatican II,
knew the Catechism back to front - and had calluses on both knees from hours
spent in prayer...
So when a new parish priest
asked me the same question just over a year ago, I had my answer ready: “I’m
afraid not. I’m really not holy enough, Father.” (And, to be frank, I’m much
more comfortable being an observer, not a participant, sitting in my pew near
the back of the church).
I didn’t expect his reply. “No one is. We’re
none of us worthy. Think how I feel - and I say mass.”
Well...this was not what I
was expecting. Parish priests make mild enquiries, and then they half expect to
be gently rebuffed. They certainly do not behave like recruiting sergeants.
Before I came to my senses, my wife and I were both signed up to the next EM training
class.
I was reflecting on that
today, on my reluctant conscription, just 15 months ago.
I don’t think you can be a
EM and be unaffected. The God who humbled himself to become a tiny wafer of bread
inspires increasing awe, gratitude, reverence, devotion, even joy. You
certainly think more about purity and respect, but the sense of unworthiness is
balanced by the opportunity to demonstrate love through service. There is a
real danger of imperceptibly becoming a different - and hopefully a better - person,
through association or grace, rather than through effort.
Deo gratias! 
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