Q: My family doesn't always make it to mass on time and I always wonder if it's still ok for us to receive communion even though we're late. Is there a "cut-off time" or anything? Thanks!
A: There is not a "cut-off time" that you need to be to Mass by to be able to receive Communion. Although, it is best for us to be present for the whole Mass, the Church understands that tardiness may unintentionally occur sometimes - like a car accident or the alarm clock not going off. So, the Church knowing how important it is to receive Jesus in the Eucharist does not make a "cut-off" for those who are unintentionally late.
But the Church does have guidelines for preparing the soul to receiving Communion, no matter what time you arrive. St. Paul says, "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself." (1 Cor 11:27-29) Therefore, anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to Communion. (CCC 1385)
If someone is intentionally arriving late (or leaving early) because they think Mass is boring or a waste of time, then they probably shouldn't be receiving. The Sacrament of the Mass is the greatest gift Jesus gave us and we need to learn to appreciate it more. The whole Mass is a perfect time to retreat from the "rat race" and prepare our hearts to receive and be with God. Man will never find anything more satisfying, or fulfilling than the Eucharist, which is bodily communion with the living God, even though he will always search. So, we must make Mass a priority in our lives, trying our best to arrive on time and preparing our hearts for Him.
If you individually or as a family find yourselves consistently running late for Mass, then you should adjust your schedules accordingly. Maybe set the alarm for 10 minutes earlier. Being here sometimes on Sundays when not attending Mass, I do notice a lot of people strolling into Church 15 or 20 minutes late. I can not read souls, but I can read body language and their attitudes reflect their faith. Also, at the 6:30 pm Mass I see people in the back talking, texting, and not paying attention the whole Mass. Their attitudes also reflect their faith. To these people, I really want to ask, Why are you coming? A great southern novelist, Flannery O'Conner, once said about the Eucharist, "If it is just a symbol, then to hell with it!" And I echo the same response. If the Eucharist is just a symbol, then to hell with it. But, if it really is God - body, blood, soul, and divinity - then our attitudes, our priorities, our lives need to reflect that.
