I ended my last column by saying: “Let us have the integrity, too, to refrain from receiving Jesus in the Eucharist if we are not properly disposed and in the state of grace.” I will quote from the U.S. Bishops’ pamphlet of last November to explain this. (Called to His Supper)

Responding to question 4, “Should we ever refrain from receiving Holy Communion?,” the bishops reply, in part: “We may find ourselves in situations, however, where an examination of our conscience before God reveals to us that we should refrain from partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ. Moreover, we should be cautious when making judgments about whether or not someone else should receive Holy Communion.

“In order to receive Holy Communion, we must be in communion with God and with the Church. Mortal sin constitutes a rejection of communion with God and destroys the life of grace within us...

“Because our sin has separated us from God and from our brothers and sisters in Christ, we have forfeited our right to receive Holy Communion, for the Eucharist by its very nature, expresses and nurtures this life-giving unity that the sinner has now lost. St. Paul warned the Corinthians that ‘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)

“Catholics who are conscious of committing any mortal sin must receive the Sacrament of Penance before receiving Holy Communion....”

What about Catholics who dissent from church teaching? The bishops explain: “As Catholics we believe what the church authentically teaches on matters of faith and morals, for to hear the voice of the church, on matters of faith and morals, is to hear the voice of Christ himself. To give selective assent to the teachings of the church not only deprives us of her life-giving message, but also seriously endangers our communion with her....”

“If a Catholic in his or her personal or professional life were knowingly and obstinately to reject the defined doctrines of the church, or knowingly and obstinately to repudiate her definitive teaching on moral issues, he or she would seriously diminish his or her communion with the church. Reception of Holy Communion in such a situation would not accord with the nature of the Eucharistic celebration, so that he or she should refrain.”

In the case of a public person, scandal may also be involved. “When a person is publicly known to have committed serious sin or to have rejected definitive church teaching and is not yet reconciled with the church, reception of Holy Communion by that person is likely to cause scandal for others. This is a further reason for refraining from Holy Communion....” This does not mean that such a person is refused Holy Communion, however. The person is himself/herself expected to have the integrity to refrain from receiving.

“How can we prepare to receive Holy Communion more worthily?” ask the bishops. They suggest:

“Remote preparation includes the following:

• Regular prayer and Scripture reading...

• Faithful and loving fulfillment of the duties and responsibilities of our state in life...

• Daily repentance of sin and regular participation in the Sacrament of Penance...”

“Proximate preparation includes the following:

• Prayerful recollection...

• We are required to keep the Eucharistic fast, that is, refraining from food and drink (except for water and medicines) for at least one hour prior to receiving Holy Communion...

• We should also come to the sacred liturgy appropriately dressed...

• Attentively participating in the liturgy...”

The bishops conclude by saying: “May we always approach this holy mystery with due reverence and awe and love for the Holy One of God, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is in our midst and who comes to abide within us, making us holy as he himself is holy.” (No. 4, No. 5) (You can find the full text in the April 7 issue of The Catholic Herald or purchase it on the Web at: http://www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?PC=719.)

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