The Eucharist in the Early Church
Part VI: Preparing for Communion
This is the sixth in a seven-part series on the Eucharist in the Early Church.
Last month, we looked at how by receiving the Eucharist we become the Body of Christ. Yet before we can receive this great gift of the Eucharist, we must prepare ourselves. First, the Sacrament of Baptism prepares us to receive Holy Communion because it establishes that communion with Him who we receive. The Eucharist deepens and strengthens a union that already exists. The Didache, that 1st century church manual, confirms this truth: “But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist unless they have been baptized into the name of the Lord.” St. Justin Martyr (2nd c.) elaborates further that one must believe the truth and live as Christ did in order to belong to the Body of Christ and receive communion. This is why people belonging to churches that don’t believe in the Real Presence are not permitted to receive the Eucharist nor are Catholics permitted to receive the bread and wine in their churches. Our belief in the Real Presence and our practice of preparing ourselves to receive Communion coincide and reinforce one another.
Are there times when we as Catholics could also be unprepared to receive the Eucharist? Yes. Firstly, when we have not observed the one-hour fast from food or drink before receiving Communion. Secondly, when we are not in a state of grace because we have committed a mortal sin, known by its three characteristics of grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent (cf. Catechism 1854-64). When the first applies, we should simply wait until the fast concludes. If the second applies, we should first receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before approaching the Eucharist. Intentionally failing to do so could be causing more harm than good to ourselves. Though Christ in the Eucharist wants to heal, reception of the Blessed Sacrament is not an automatic remedy. Sitting down at the dinner table after a huge family fight without first reconciling could incite more injury than healing. St. Paul, noting some serious sin in the Corinthian community, states forcefully: “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Cor. 11:27). In other words, we must take seriously the obligation to be in communion before receiving Communion. “If we do not desire communion with Christ [by our actions],” the US bishops state, “God does not force this upon us. Rather, we must by faith accept God's offer of communion in Christ and in the Holy Spirit and cooperate with God's grace.” This is our call as we approach this greatest treasure on earth: not that we be perfect, but that we be growing toward God’s ultimate plan for our happiness, the eternal life in heaven for which the Eucharist is our foretaste (next week’s final installment).