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 A third example would be those who have embraced an active homosexual lifestyle either with one person or with multiple persons. As long as one is engaging in sexual acts outside the bond of the Sacrament of Matrimony-a union of one man and one woman, one cannot worthily receive Holy Communion. A fourth example would be married couples who reject the Church's teaching prohibiting artificial contraception and use such means to prevent conception. These couples are called to prayerfully reject such means and to embrace responsible parenthood in conformity with the moral law by embracing Natural Family Planning for legitimate reasons. Sacramental reconciliation is necessary for worthy reception of Holy Communion. Again, this list is not exhaustive, but it includes some of the major persistent states. Those who would like to pursue this further should consult the document of the U. S. Catholic Bishops, Happy Are Those Who Are Called to His Supper. "O Lord I am not worthy" Holy Communion is our most precious gift from the Father; it is the gift of His Son to us as our food and drink, our spiritual nourishment which perdures unto life everlasting. I have attempted to address spiritually unhealthy behavior and trends that have become all to common in the Church today. As I stated above, this is not an exhaustive treatment, but it should help some to examine how they approach this Holy Sacrament. In addition to the categories treated above, there are other related topics that should be brought to mind that affect our manner of receiving Holy Communion. For instance, many parishes Churches have lost a sense of prayer before the celebration of Mass. In many parishes, it is impossible to pray quietly in preparation of Mass due to the chatter, choir rehearsal and other busy-bodiness that goes on. Another issue is the decline in standards of modesty and appropriateness in dress. The extremes which really need to be avoided are excessive casualness in dress and immodest dress. The Mass is a truly important event. People who dress up to go out to party (and often, to sin), but throw on anything to come worship the Lord, show contempt to Him, of Whom the psalmist sings, Worship the Lord in Holy attire (Ps 29:2), and of Whom the Chronicler writes, When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures for ever" (2 Chr 20: 21). Far worse are those whose dress is not only wholly unsuitable for Divine Worship, but against Christian decency, lacking in respect for the body, and designed to lead to sins against chastity. Those guilty of this are guilty of scandal, for the true definition of scandal is the act of leading another to sin. Slaves to modern fashion will find themselves enslaved by something far worse. Servants of Jesus Christ think of Him first as they prepare to come to celebrate the Holy Eucharist. They dress for the Lord with worship and praise in their hearts and on their minds. In the passage quotes at the beginning of this reflection, we see that care for the proper celebration and reception of this gift has marked the consciousness of the Church since its infancy. St. Paul's concerns back then are not much different from our concerns today. These should not only be the concerns of the pastors of the Church. They should be the concerns of each and every Catholic, beginning with how they apply to him- or herself! When we say "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you…," we should mean it. We show that we mean it when we allow Him to "Say but the word" in the sacrament of penance. When our souls are healed through this sacrament of mercy and healing, then our Communions will indeed be Holy Communions, pleasing to the Lord, and a pledge of Eternal Life! |
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