In Communion Christ is born in our soul

Msgr. Pedro Lopez-Gallo

If Christmas is the celebration of Jesus's Incarnation, the Eucharist is the perpetual presence of Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar and His permanent company in our hearts. Indeed, each Communion should be the personal celebration of His birth in our soul.

Unfortunately, not every Communion is a fervent act of reverence. Routine and distraction often reduce this so-precious contact with the Word Incarnate into a mechanical gesture without the respect that so high a privilege deserves.

St. Paul noticed this lack of consideration in some members of the early Christian community of Corinth, established some 20 years after the death of Jesus. Corinth was a commercial city, full of devotees of various pagan cults and marked by a measure of moral depravity.

After his departure, St. Paul received disquieting news that certain of the converted Christians were involved in serious misconduct: one member of the community was living in an incestuous union; others had lapsed into pagan rites. The most painful thing to his heart was the lack of liturgical respect for the Eucharist.

His stern words of reproach are the best description of their irreverent conduct: "For first of all, I hear that when you meet in church, there are divisions among you, and then it is no longer possible to eat the Lord's Supper.

"For at the meal, each one takes first his own supper, while another gets drunk. Have you not houses in which you can eat and drink?

"Shall I praise you? In this I do not praise you."

"For I received from the Lord (what I also delivered to you) that the Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread and, giving thanks, broke it and said: `This is My Body which will be given up for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.'

"In the same way, He took the cup, saying: `This cup is the new covenant in My Blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes."

His exhortation is clear and valid even today. "Therefore whoever eats the Bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning, eats and drinks his own condemnation."

Today the relaxation of morality has also diminished our respect and discernment when receiving Communion.

How is it possible that people who are in concubinage ignore the fact that they are in mortal sin and are, therefore, unworthy to receive the Body of Christ?

"A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body of the Lord without prior sacramental confession unless a grave reason is present and there is no opportunity of confession; in this case the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible" (canon 916).

Those who are excommunicated, for instance those who have formally procured abortion or co-operated in it, are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.

Canon law highly emphasizes how the faithful should venerate this Sacrament: "The faithful are to hold the Eucharist in highest honour, taking part in the celebration of the most august Sacrifice, receiving the Sacrament devoutly and frequently, and worshiping it with supreme adoration; pastors, clarifying the doctrine on the Sacrament, are to instruct the faithful thoroughly about this obligation" (canon 898).

It is in the time after receiving Communion that this devotion is to be manifested by a sincere action of gratitude, paraphrasing with deep humility the phrase of the centurion begging for health for his slave: "Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured" (Mt. 8:8).

In the Eastern Liturgy, the faithful devoutly pray: "O Son of God, bring me into communion today with your mystical supper. I shall not tell your enemies the secret, or kiss you with Judas's kiss, but like the good thief I cry, `Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.'"

How important it is, therefore, to be prepared for the reception of Holy Communion! The Church wants us to observe a symbolic fast of at least one hour (canon 919). How far removed it is from the long fast of old times, when a strict fast was to be observed from the midnight before: not even a drop of water!

In the same way, the bodily demeanour: gestures, clothing, attitude, should all convey the respect, the joyful dignity of this sublime moment when Christ becomes the guest of our heart. St. Augustine compared his communion to the nine months Mary, the Mother of Jesus, carried Him in her womb.

Yes, we are not worthy, but the love Jesus has for us is bigger than our unworthiness. Even more, He warns us: "Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood, you do not have life within you" (Jn. 6:53).

Msgr. Lopez-Gallo's columns are available in two volumes for $20 each from St. Andrew's Church Supply, 275 E. 8 Ave., Vancouver, V5T 1R9, or toll-free at 1-800-663-7161. Proceeds will go to Hogar de Nazareth Orphanage in Mexico, which he sponsors.