Question
I am a [communion] minister at my parish and I was wandering if we should be handling the eucharist. I looked it up in the catechism and it said it was o.k in extraordinary times. We have usually about 300 people at mass and only one priest. The reason why I ask is because one parishioner keeps confronting me and judging other people in our parish saying we are not reverent when we receive communion in our hands but truly in my heart I AM.
Answer
Yes, the church commissions lay people to be extraordinary ministers of holy communion. We even ask that these ministers bring communion to those who may not be able to attend Daily Mass or Sunday Eucharist. It is too bad that there are people judging you as a minister, but we should not be surprised at this, since Jesus himself was judged for his behavior of caring for people. Please continue to share the Body and Blood of Christ with people, in church and for those unable to get to church. We are called by our baptism to serve and minister: being a communion minister is one way!
Also, Jesus commanded us to take and eat! Receiving communion in the hand is the most ancient tradition and command from Jesus. How could this not be reverent?