Who Receives the Body and Blood?

Who receives the Body and Blood of the Lord at Communion? 

St. Francis makes a startling statement in the first Admonition. You can find it in Volume I of Francis of Assisi: Early Documents on page 129. 

First, St. Francis quotes Christ: "This is my Body and the Blood of the new covenant [which will be shed for many]; and Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life. " 

Then immediately St. Francis says: "It is the Spirit of the Lord, therefore, That lives in the faithful, That receives the Body and Blood of the Lord." 

So there you have it. St. Francis reminds us that it is the Holy Spirit who has eternal life. And, it is the Holy Spirit that is receiving the sacrament. Wow! Think about that the next time you receive Communion. 

Regarding the presence of the Holy Spirit in each of us, I encourage you to find a copy of In His Spirit: A Guide to Today's Spirituality by Richard J. Hauser, S.J.