As we approach the great solemnity of Corpus Christi, I’ve begun to receive a steady stream of articles, old and new, about Eucharistic miracles and desecrations. It’s indeed heartening that many fellow Catholics care enough about the Eucharist to share about it.
But I’m also quite sure that all of us (myself included) have committed Eucharistic sacrilege at least once in our lives, and perhaps even continue to commit it to this day. I speak of receiving Holy Communion while not in a state of grace.
The Catechism of Mother Church covers the subject of receiving Holy Communion in seven whole paragraphs (CCC 1384-1390). In particular:
To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience: “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 any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” (1 Cor 11:27-29) Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion.
CCC 1385
Some of us are under a seriously mistaken impression, possibly fostered through inexact or misremembered catechism, that goes something like this:
Communion is an automatic entitlement. Going for mass and not receiving communion is like going for a banquet and refusing to eat anything. It disrespects the host (God) and other guests (our brothers and sisters).
Nothing could be further from the truth. Holy Communion is a privilege afforded those who dwell in the grace of the Lord, not an entitlement to all who cry “Lord! Lord!” Catholic politicians are routinely and publicly denied the Eucharist when they don’t practice what they profess; likewise, we should not receive the transubstantiated Christ with unclean heart, even when no one else knows of our sins.
Jesus knows everything in our hearts and every transgression we’ve committed. When we’re honest enough to admit to Him that:
- our “spiritual house” is a stinking mess (mortal sin),
- we haven’t gotten around to “cleaning up the major messes” (confession), and therefore
- when we say, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,” (Matthew 8:8) there’s so much truth in it that we’re in spiritual pain,
I’m quite sure He won’t take offence…though others around us might not be as generous.
See, we Catholics are a judgmental lot, despite everything we’ve been taught. Deep down in the secret chambers of our hearts, we see others doing what we disapprove of, like consciously choosing not to join the communion line, and an invisible dagger instantly flies forth from our breast: UNCLEAN SINNER!!!
So what should be our Christian reaction, when we see a fellow Catholic who comes for mass, looks out of sorts throughout the liturgy, and motions us to go past him to receive communion?
Simply this: “Brother, I respect your desire to not profane the Blessed Sacrament, and I’ll pray for your speedy reconciliation and return to our communal banquet with Christ.” Respect and prayer, two things that we could all offer more of in our lives.
We should also make every effort to purify ourselves to receive Jesus in His Real Body. We were instructed to go for confession before our First Holy Communion, all those years ago; as it was then, so should it still be.
And when we miss our chance at needed reconciliation, we should have the courage to treat the Blessed Sacrament with the reverence it deserves, and not receive it unworthily.
For worthy indeed is the Lamb that was slain. Let us always show in deed what our tongues profess, especially when we’re doing it to the Lord Himself.
Lord Jesus, You gave up everything for us. May we never take You in vain, whether in word, deed or body. Amen.