Help Yourself to Jesus - A Definite Rant

One of the great things about living in New York City is that there is an abundance of churches.  It's hard to go more than just a few blocks without running into one.  On Sundays I normally go to Mass at one church that has another Mass shortly afterwards, and it is very difficult to stay and pray after Mass.  So lately I have been walking a few blocks to another stunningly beautiful church.  I don't want to give the name of the church or location just in case the wrong people get this information.  This church has a 9:30 Mass and then the church is usually empty until the next Mass at 12:30.

The church was built in about 1886 and has not been "renovated."  It retains its beautiful high altar, pictured:

I have just assumed that this was where the Blessed Sacrament was reserved and have genuflected towards this altar.  Today shortly after I got there, a woman walked in and went up into the sanctuary and to the side altar, which as you can see has the red light indicating the presence of the Blessed Sacrament:

I realized that this was where the Blessed Sacrament was reserved, instead of in that magnificent high altar.  The woman then proceeded to open the Tabernacle and take some consecrated hosts and left.  I was stunned.  I feel certain she was "allowed" to do so and was probably taking them to shut ins.  But I still could not believe that someone other than a priest could just walk in and do such a thing.  Then, to my amazement, a man came in and did the same thing!  I will give him a little more credit.  At least he genuflected upon opening the Tabernacle. He also genuflected towards the main altar.  I wanted to ask him why, since no one was home in that tabernacle. 

After the man left, I went and looked closer at the Tabernacle and realized the key was left there.  No one else was in the church, and it was quite apparent that anyone could have easily walked in and raided the Tabernacle. I don't know what if any precautions, either of these two people took to prevent crumbs from falling from the hosts.  I didn't see either one purify their hands.  And can I just say this - why are lay people even allowed to do this???!!!!!  And why isn't our Lord in the center of that church in that magnificent altar?  Why has He been pushed off to the side????  Where is He in the lives of those who attend that church?

In the traditions of the Catholic Church prior to Vatican II, only a priest could touch the consecrated host with his hands, which were consecrated for that purpose.  And he would always purify his hands both before and after touching the consecrated host, to ensure that no crumbs were scattered, because every particle of the Consecrated Host contains the precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord.  Now, not only does the priest no longer purify his hands, but lay people, whose hands have never been consecrated, are allowed to touch the consecrated host and are never purified, either. None of the congregants who receive in the hand purify their hands, either.  And we wonder why Catholics show so little reverence for the Blessed Sacrament anymore?  It almost seems planned, doesn't it?

Watch the following video and see how the consecrated host is desecrated when received in the hand.  The guy is a bit annoying, but he has some very interesting things to say. And think about this the next time you receive Communion.