20^th Sunday B, IC 4:12, August 17, 2003

Before Holy Thursday evening, Jesus commanded his disciples to “prepare a large upper room” for the celebration of the Passover. As we well know, that night would be of signal importance for the human race: Passover would be superceded by the Sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist; and the night of Jesus’ deepest expression of love would become His betrayal and agony. Every celebration of the Mass renews the sacrifice of Calvary and the sacramental event of the Last Supper. When Jesus told his disciples to ‘prepare’ for these events, we was indirectly teaching all Christians of the need to prepare themselves for Communion. This is a subject that gets scant attention these days. I suppose we have been so startled by liturgical novelties and abuses that our attention has, of necessity, been directed elsewhere. But, as the Imitation of Christ puts it, “every loving person prepares the best and fairest room for his dear friend, and in doping so, shows his affection.”

In former times, when nearly everyone came to Mass with his personal handheld missal, there were found prayers at the back entitled ‘Preparation for Mass’ and a matching section ‘Thanksgiving after Mass.’ It was not unusual that Catholics would arrive at Mass some minutes early and use such a prayer book to stimulate their thoughts to the holy mystery that was about to unfold. Of course, this was before the days of hymn practice before Mass, of greeting your neighbor in the pew, of gather rooms for socializing, and the general din of talking and agitation that has broken the once sacred silence of our churches. And so, we who likely enter the church already distracted by the concerns of the world, are poorly fit to elevate our thoughts, cleanse our affections and open our selfish-tending hearts to the majestic God in the tabernacle.

Our reading from the evangelist, Saint John, has recently been on the Eucharistic section of his Gospel. Our Lord, in today’s passage declares most solemnly that His flesh is a food, His blood, a drink. There is no mistaking His meaning that what He offers as His ‘bread’ and his ‘drink’ is truly His body and blood, indeed, it is his whole human body, his soul, and, more, God Himself wedded to His humanity. Then He indicates the reason we refer to this Sacrament as Communion: “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” Christ in us and we in Him: union; com-union.

Had the Gospel been different, our Lord might have forbidden access to His body and blood, except by the saintly few. But, in that case, only the Blessed Mother would have been found truly worthy of it. But this the food for a sin-weakened humanity; Jesus Himself directs us to receive it. Otherwise, who would dare approach this all-holy Sacrament? However, the confidence we should have in coming to Holy Communion on account of the command of Jesus, should not lead to presumption, as though we were worthy to receive Communion in any condition whatever. If we are not truly speaking worthy of Communion, we must at least be rightly disposed to receive it. Minimally, this means that we must be in a state of grace–that is, we must have no mortal sins on our conscience–for that, prior confession is necessary. But beyond that requirement, there is a good deal more that one can do to be better prepared for Holy Communion. And this is where preparatory prayer and recollection are so useful.

The Imitation of Christ puts in the mouth of Jesus these words on this very theme. “If you wish Me to come and dwell with you...cleanse the dwelling of your heart. Exclude the whole world and its sinful clamor, sit there alone...and consider your sinfulness in bitterness of soul. However, know that even your best efforts cannot make a worthy preparation for Me, although you were to prepare for a whole year and do nothing else besides. It is of my mercy and grace alone that you are allowed to approach My table. Do whatever lies in your power, and do it earnestly, not out of habit or necessity, but / with awe and reverent love / receive the Body of your Lord and God.”

There was once an heretical tendency in the Church–quite the opposite from what we now experience, that caused men to refrain from Communion on account of their unworthiness. Indeed, it was at that time even considered presumptuous for one to go to Communion at all. The Church therefore–to correct this–insisted that every Catholic Communicate at least once a year, during the Easter season, under penalty of mortal sin. (Of course, that annual Communion too must be made without mortal sin.) Now it appears otherwise: we have perhaps become a little too familiar, too casual, unreflective and overconfident. We need to be reminded again to ‘prepare the room’ of our souls in order to welcome Christ.

The final aspect of this subject comes again from the Imitation and concerns thanksgiving after Communion. I quote: “carefully foster your devotion after receiving the Sacrament. A constant vigilance after Communion is the best preparation for receiving richer graces; and a man will be entirely undisposed to do this if he straightway turns to outward pleasures. Beware of much talk; remain in some quiet place, and savor the presence of God.”

We have precious few minutes after Communion to make a thanksgiving. When I was young, we were wisely directed to return to our pew after Communion and to cover our faces in order to block out distractions to converse with the Lord in private. That would be a fine practice to revive. It is for the very reason of giving you a chance to pray that–at this parish–I do not ask you sing Communion hymns–except rarely, in a longer Mass. You need time to be / with God–alone, before going out to meet the challenges of the world, the flesh and the devil.

Prepare to receive; receive thoughtfully and lovingly. Your Communions will be more fruitful and you will be transformed.