Communion ministers will tell you that they see an interesting array of approaches as people come to the "table of the Lord." As we all know, it is the communicant who chooses between "on the tongue" or "in the hand," and that, of course, is as the church wants it.

But Communion ministers will tell you that some not very attractive (and occasionally humorous) "encounters" occur in both modes of reception. Some tongues become moving targets. Some hands raise a pinched thumb and forefinger in an "I'll take one of those" posture, while many open palms present themselves at almost out-of-reach lower levels.

Having experienced all these styles of reception over the years, I was prompted recently to track down an ancient text about reception of Communion in the hand. It suggests a few catechetical points about both hands and hearts at Mass.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, back in the fourth century, instructed communicants in these words:

"So when you come forward, do not come with arm extended or fingers parted. Make your left hand a throne for your right, since your right hand is about to welcome a king. Cup your palm and receive in it Christ's body, saying in response, Amen. Then carefully bless your eyes with a touch of the holy body, and consume it, being careful to drop not a particle of it.... After partaking of Christ's body, go to receive the chalice of his blood."

It is the image of the "left hand as a throne for your right" that has stayed with me since I first read those words years ago. That image conveys both reverence and dignity associated with open hands awaiting the arrival of the Lord.

At Mass, during the recital of the Lord's Prayer in preparation for Communion, one's hands are typically open --- palms up --- or clasped by the hand of a fellow worshipper on either side. The open hand, in a "thy-kingdom-come" gesture that also acknowledges need for "our daily bread," will in a few moments be outstretched to receive the Eucharist. But first it will receive the hand of others in the worshipping community who approach with a greeting of peace. Then, finally, to that suppliant and peace-receiving hand, comes the Prince of Peace in holy Communion.

We cannot receive Communion worthily and have heart or hands closed to others in the human community. Moreover, all who feast at the table of the Lord take not only the same food --- the bread of life --- but the exact same portion, the one body and one cup, the one Lord. And unlike the reality of ordinary food that becomes part of the one who eats, in this unique sacramental meal the eater becomes part of it. We become what we eat. We are not simply nourished, we are divinized.

Thinking horizontally --- in the direction to our brothers and sisters in the community of faith --- is also expected of us when gathered at the table of the Lord. A worthy Communion means being united with them. A worthy Communion might also mean doing something to make sure, whenever one enjoys the bread of life, that our hungry brothers and sisters worldwide have their share of the bread for life.

It can never be just "Jesus and me" when any of us receives holy Communion. We are in the company ("cum-pane," "with-bread") of the whole human race whenever we approach the table of the Lord.

Jesuit Father William J. Byron, a columnist with Catholic News Service, can be reached at wbyron@loyola.edu. Bill Peatman's column will resume next week.