Worthy to receive? #1

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To receive Holy Communion is, to borrow a contemporary phrase, truly ‘awesome’. Indeed it is. While we ought to approach the Sacrament with confidence, joy, and hope, we should also pause and reflect on what it is that we are about to receive. It is no small thing to drink the cup of salvation, which is the Blood of Christ.

Jesus said to the disciples who sought places beside Him:

“You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” (Mark 10:38).

Are we ready, as the saying goes, to ‘walk the walk’? Who knows where it might lead? One thing is certain: following Christ has a cost, and, whether we say yes to Him or not, sufferings and unexpected challenges will come our way sooner or later.

To participate in Holy Communion is to share in the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection. We are united to His sufferings and share in His life. Our rising from sin and death is made possible through the grace of this Sacrament.

If we are burdened or troubled by past sins, let us lay them at the foot of the Cross. In the Roman Catholic Church, those who are conscious of grave (mortal) sin are not allowed to receive Holy Communion without first going to confession; individual sacramental confession is not only advised but required in such cases.  Mortal sin is defined on the basis of (i) grave matter, (ii) full knowledge and (iii) full consent.  Each case is different and requires discernment. Of course, it is not unknown for individual pastors to withhold communion even when those approaching the Sacrament believe that they do so in good faith and conscience.

St Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth:

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body eat and drink judgement against themselves.” (1 Corinthians 11:27–29).

All that said, we must never forget that, strictly speaking, none of us is worthy to receive. We therefore repeat, with sincerity and humility, the response at Mass said by both priest and people before Communion:

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Domine, non sum dignus.....

These words echo the faith of the Roman centurion in the Gospel (Matthew 8:8).

For that is the truth of the matter: no one can judge the inner soul of another, even though pastors have a serious duty to address very exceptional cases of grave public scandal.