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Catechesis on the Liturgy: Holy Communion (See previous chapter in this series) (This is the final installation of this series; See the first chapter in this series)
Homily
71. Over the last three months, we have had, with a few interruptions, a regular catechesis on the Holy Liturgy, explaining many of the details of the Mass. I regret we could only scratch the surface, only study the tip of the iceberg, for the amount of symbolism, history and expression of faith to be found in the liturgy is like a deep well whose water never runs out, for those who want do drink from it. This is the final unit, in which I propose a meditation on Holy Communion. I think it is a superb meditation to have on this feast of Christ the King, the last Sunday before Advent, as it is Jesus our King who comes to us his subject, and he calls us not his servants but his friends; and in the Eucharist, our Lord Jesus Christ is the perpetual sacrifice for our redemption, perfectly pleasing to the Father.
Preparing for Communion
72. I once asked a Bishop why the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops time and time again seemed to go out of their way to get the faithful to not go down upon their knees before the Holy Eucharist. Indeed, there are clergy everywhere now, it seems, who will rebuke their parishioners, even in public and humiliating ways, if they kneel or genuflect to receive communion. I even know a classmate of mine, with whom I was ordained, who refused to give communion to someone who knelt! The Bishop commented at one point in our conversation, “You have a point; in fact, even the priest has to genuflect before receiving Holy Communion.” Indeed, he does. 73. His genuflection is preceded by a magnificent prayer said privately, yet good for every Catholic to pray before communion. He starts, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,” thereby professing his faith in the real presence of Jesus Christ, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity under the species of bread and wine. He continues, “you who from the will of the Father, and by the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, enlivened the world through your death,” referring to the effect of Redemption which was caused by the Incarnation and Paschal mystery. Then the priest asks, “Through you most holy body and blood free me from all my iniquities and from all evils. Make me adhere always to your commandments,” he says. He finishes with a petition for which our German Pope has expressed his deep affection, “And never let me be parted from you.” Oh, Jesus, never let any of us, your children, be parted from you! Keep our hearts free from sin! Unbind us from the shackles of attachments to things in this world! Help us to love the cross, and to follow your Son Jesus Christ in emptying ourselves for love of God and neighbor! 74. A holy priest friend of mine once asked a young girl, “What do you pray, while you kneel at the communion rail and wait for the priest to come bring you communion.” She answered with a simplicity and wisdom which should instruct us all, saying, “I just pray the at of contrition.” The priest told her, “That is a very good way to prepare for Holy Communion.” That girl is surely on her way to holiness and eternal life.
Effects of Holy Communion
75. When we receive communion, what happens? What are the effects of communion? What spiritual realities take place in our souls? 76. Many people reduce not only communion but their entire spiritual lives to their own feelings. “Father,” they’ll say, “I had a good communion today because I felt great fervor.” Or again, “I have had such poor communions lately because I don’t feel such overwhelming emotion as I have at another time in my live.” If we were perfect our feelings would always respond deeply to the movement of grace in our souls; but we are not, we are all sons of Adam and Eve, and so often the best things are happening in our souls, yet our feelings are not corresponding to the reality which is happening within. If this happens to you, don’t worry. Feelings are not the same thing as grace. Just concentrate on grace, and don’t worry about your feelings in your prayer life. Sometimes, in fact, God allows us to go through a purification of our attachment to our feelings. An excessive love for our emotional states is really a type of attachment to sensuality and a real hindrance to spiritual progress. You, just love God and neighbor, observe the commandments, follow the beatitudes, and cooperate with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: leave all the rest to God, and be at peace. 77. Communion has many beautiful effects on the soul.[1] Holy Communion increases our union with Christ. “He who east my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him,”[2] says the Lord, and again, “As the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.”[3] Union with God is the whole goal of the spiritual life, and the true reward of heaven. It is what our hearts most desire. As a groom longs to embrace his bride, so too our souls long to enter into union with God; indeed, marriage is a sign and a promise, a sign that will end, of a never-ending union of love of the soul and God. So communion is our nourishment for this union with God. It’s not enough to have it once. We need it again and again, and God wants us to need it again and again. How wise so many Catholics are who go to daily Mass, and if I could persuade all of you by begging on my knees to make daily Mass part of your life every day until you die, I would most certainly do it. Be in union with your God on earth! 78. Another effect of holy communion is that it separates us from sin, it washes away our venial sin, and makes us die to sin and live for God.[4] Yet it is still good and fruitful and effective and meritorious to confess our venial sins in frequent confession. The Eucharist also serves as a sort of vaccine against future mortal sins. When we travel to other countries, doctors sometimes encourage us to take one vaccine or another to inoculate us against deadly illnesses. Well, for us Catholics, heaven is our true homeland, and we are on earth as traveling in a foreign land; so why not take the spiritual inoculation against spiritual death? It is the only reasonable thing to do. And so communion has this effect on the soul. For we are all too weak – oh how important this is, what I am saying now – we are all far too week to keep ourselves from falling into mortal sin against God. We can only do this by God’s grace, by collaborating with God’s grace to overcome temptations. We cannot do it on our own! So let us turn to frequent communion as our food and medicine on the way. 79. The Eucharist brings forth the unity of the Church. Some parishes bank their unity on all the external things: holding hands during Mass, hugging, lots of socializing before and after Mass in the very Church itself as if it were a social hall. Our unity depends on God. The same God that lives in you by grace lives also in your neighbor. God alone is the source of this deep, spiritual and true unity. Be united to God, and you will be deeply united to the Church. And the communion builds this unity, and gives graces to the whole Church, not just yourself. In fact, your communion is also effective for bringing for the great sign of unity and bond of charity in the whole Church, even to the point of bringing those separated into the Church into union with the Church. By a worthy communion, you will graces from God to make that happen. 80. Finally, the Holy Eucharist moves us to the mission. Every Catholic is an apostle. None of this “private faith” stuff. If you have been given so much in the Church, why do you keep it a secret? If Communion transforms you and the Church through you, why do you not tell others about this great gift? Do not keep it a secret, go out to all the world and tell the good news. Bring your family and friends into the beautiful and rich life of the Catholic Church, both in the Church and in their homes, especially by your good example, and by the reasons you are able to give them for the hope you have.
81. Jesus Christ is our King, and he comes to us paupers with love, and enters into vital communion with us, not only in soul, but also in body. As we feast on, feed on, the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, let us always live up to the communion we have received by collaborating with God’s graces. 82. In this way, the Mass prepares us for communion, communion prepares us for heaven, and communion prepares us to go out to all the world, and spread the good news. May it be so in our lives through the intercession of Mary, Queen of Heaven. Amen. |