Like a nursing child in the arms of the one who nourishes him...

Bishop Schneider said that just as a baby opens his mouth to receive nourishment from his mother, so should Catholics open their mouths to receive nourishment from Jesus.

"Christ truly nourishes us with his body and blood in holy Communion and, in the patristic era, it was compared to maternal breastfeeding," he said.

"The awareness of the greatness of the eucharistic mystery is demonstrated in a special way by the manner in which the body of the Lord is distributed and received," the bishop wrote.

Deacon Greg points to an article by a bishop in the Vatican newspaper who says, "The reverence and awe of Catholics who truly believe they are receiving Jesus in the Eucharist should lead them to kneel and receive Communion on their tongues."

Our parish still has and uses the altar rail. Although our priest has made it very clear that anyone may stand if they prefer, practically everyone kneels. Most people do receive in the hand which doesn't bother me since I know that was a very old style. For instance, St. Cyril of Jerusalem (313-386) counsels the Faithful to “make a throne of your hands in which to receive the King [in Holy Communion]."

I'm terrified of dropping the host so receive on the tongue and have gotten quite used to sticking my tongue out to give the deacon a good shot at sticking it on. I really hadn't stopped to consider the sort of imagery the bishop puts forth in the article. It does give one pause.

Anyway, its an interesting article and Deacon Greg's musings are also interesting. Go read it all.