With little exception, the majority of individuals who attend Mass, also partake of Communion. For many of us, it is a joyful and sacred celebration to feast at the Lord’s table. We eat His bread and drink His cup as we proclaim His death until He comes again. Sadly, I’ve also had occasion to witness those that while they engage in this Sacrament, do so in a purely ritualistic approach without thought to His sacrifice or the knowledge that they are required to first examine themselves.
I will never hesitate to use myself as a personal example since for many years I lived apart from God and had nil familiarity with His Word. And yet during that period I did not refrain from Communion. I bore an attitude of impudence as I considered that to be my right as a Catholic regardless of my spiritual condition. Yet according to 1 Corinthians 11:27-31 “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. A person should examine himself, and so eat the Bread and drink the Cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying. If we discerned ourselves, we would not be under judgment;” Though I consistently approached His table in an ambience of carelessness and sin, I am so grateful that it was His mercy which allowed me to grasp the impact of those verses before the call of judgment.
The next time that we are invited to the Supper of the Lamb, it is imperative that we…as Catholics…as Christians…heed the Lord’s Word and examine ourselves. Communion is His gift but to continue to participate in an unworthy manner can bring damnation to our souls.
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