Watching people receive communion can be interesting. Their body language gives me a clue as to what is going through their minds as they reach out to receive. Some show joy in their expression; others act rather indifferently. Many respond, as we all should, with a strong “amen,” while others look puzzled as though they don’t know quite what to say or do. The actions of some leave me wondering what reverence if any they have for this awesome sacrament. When reverence for the Eucharist wanes, evidenced by the choice of many Catholics not to attend Mass regularly, interest in the other sacraments also declines; fewer baptisms and confirmations, less confessions, fewer couples seeking to be married in the church, along with a drop in priestly vocations. Perhaps it is time for a crash course in Holy Communion 101.
At every Mass, we celebrate a mystery that has been the core of our Catholic worship since the Last Supper; the changing of bread and wine by the power of the Holy Spirit into the real presence of Jesus Christ. Before taking communion, the celebrant holds up the host and chalice and proclaims, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.” Bread and wine cannot accomplish that feat but Jesus Christ can. The promise of the Eucharist, outlined in the gospel, is that Jesus feeds us with imperishable food so that we can live forever. Yes, happy are they who believe in this awesome mystery.
Much to the chagrin of some fellow Christians, not everyone in attendance is invited to this supper and for good reason. The very name, communion, provides the rationale for excluding some from receiving. Eucharist is a visible sign that the recipient is in communion with God and the beliefs and teachings of our Catholic faith. Every communicant is publicly acknowledging what we as Catholics believe and stand for.
A few years ago at their annual conference, our bishops published a document entitled, “Happy Are Those Who Are Called to His Supper,” in which they outlined who may or may not receive communion. In a nutshell, to receive the grace and benefits of this sacrament, one must first believe in what this sacrament is: the real presence of Jesus Christ. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians poses the challenge, “Judge for yourselves what I am saying. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” Despite their appearances, our gifts cease to be bread and wine; they become for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
The Eucharist does not have such meaning for everyone. They see it only as a symbol at best. I will never forget the day I found a host that clearly had been in someone’s mouth stuck between the pages of a hymnal. Evidently, communion had little meaning beyond being a piece of bread for that person.
After bowing as a sign of reverence, every communicant is expected to say, “Amen,” before receiving communion. The amen is not a “Thank you,” but a public profession of faith in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the substance of consecrated bread and wine, the presence of Jesus Christ in the assembly, and the presence of Jesus Christ in the communicant. To say, “amen,” is to say, “I believe.”
Ideally, we should receive communion regularly, gratefully, and worthily. We may find ourselves in situations, however, when we should decline the celebrant’s invitation to come and dine. For example, when we are in a state of grave sin, we must not receive communion because we cannot honestly say that Christ is present in us. Mortal sin is an act violating God’s law that involves grave matter and is performed with both full knowledge and complete consent of the will. The Church has always taught that when we are in a state of grave sin, we must refrain from communion until we are reconciled with God and the Church through the sacrament of penance. On the other hand, one need not be sinless, for this sacrament is a source of forgiveness for our venial sins. The key is honestly acknowledging what is a grave sin and what isn’t.
Nor should we receive communion if we have not observed an hour’s fast beforehand. Unless you are elderly, infirm, or caring for them, you are required to refrain from all food and drink, with the exception of water and medicines for one hour prior to receiving Holy Communion. (That would include gum or coffee.) This fast isn’t asking much of us, but it teaches us to hunger for Jesus by making this time sacred.
The bishops point out that we should be cautious about judging those who go to communion or don’t go. Few of us ever know the full story of another person’s conscience. They also point out that those who appropriately decide to not receive communion should, nonetheless, still participate in the celebration of the Mass. “In hearing the Word of God and responding to it through acclamations, singing, and prayerful silence they can allow that Word to work within them.” We owe it to ourselves for our well being in this lifetime and for all eternity to make time to be with God in prayer and the Mass, long seen as the source of Christian life, is ideal for doing so.
Are you happy to be invited to the Lord’s Supper? I hope that your answer is and always will be, “Yes!” so I invite you to savor the moment. Take and eat, Jesus reminds us, in remembrance of me. Allow him, then, to transform your lives in this extraordinary encounter that has changed the lives of so many believers who have reverenced his real presence in something so ordinary as bread and wine, blessed and broken.