Approach to receiving Eucharist

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There is so much mystery to the meaning of Eucharist, but I would like to address the mindset that we have in receiving.

First of all, we are Christ receiving Christ, as St Augustine describes, I get that. We are stepping forward as in communion with God.

But what is our own approach in terms of with who or what I am in “communion”? I have been practicing an inquiry before receiving, days or moments beforehand, and I am wondering if others have approached this inquiry in the same way. It involves an ownership.

So, to describe the self-inquiry, I remember that we are coming to a table to be in communion with those around the table. With whom (or what?) am I eating?

Surely I am receiving, sharing with the Priest and the rest of those present.
To extend, of course, I am sharing a meal with the rest of the diocese, all Catholics receiving communion in my nation and my world.

Am I receiving, sharing, eating, in communion with those Catholics of other ethnicity, race?
Am I in communion with those who have different views of the faith? “liberals” “conservatives” etc.?
Am I in communion with those who have not chosen to attend? Am I in communion with them?
Am I in communion with Christians of other denominations?
Am I in communion with those who have fallen away?
Am I in communion with the unchurched?
Am I in communion with those of other faiths?
Am I in communion with those who reject faith altogether?
Am i in communion with sinners? Adam and Eve? Politicians? My annoying neighbor?
Am I in communion with people who do the greatest of evil? (have I forgiven?)
Am I in communion with the creatures of the Earth? Sea? Air? Do I love and care for them as beautiful gifts? (with full awareness that God created me omnivorous)
Am I in communion with the plant world, the trees, the grasslands, ecosystems, the entire ecosystem of the planet?
Am I in communion with all of creation itself?
Am I in communion with every part of myself? (have I forgiven?)

Anyway, these questions bring even more wholeness and meaning to my receiving, it makes the moment of receiving even more powerful for me. Can you relate to this?
 
Do you think this might be a little too self-centered, rather than focused on God?
 
LiamQ said:
Do you think this might be a little too self-centered, rather than focused on God?
Click to expand...
I think these are the kind of questions Jesus might ask us, so for me, this is God-focused - putting our hearts more in alignment with his.
 
When I receive I am in communion with Jesus … I keep it pretty simple.
 
You are one with Christ Jesus.
That should suffice.
it’s a bout HIM.
 
pianistclare said:
You are one with Christ Jesus.
That should suffice.
it’s a bout HIM.
Click to expand...
I really don’t think that is quite correct. If it were, the CC would invite all Christians of whatever denomination to share the Eucharist with us. But she does not because we are not in communion with all other Christians. Our Holy Communion is a communion with Christ, yes, but it is also a communion with our Catholic brothers and sisters–we share the same faith and profess the same beliefs. Holy Communion expresses this profound belief that we are one with each other and with Christ. The Catholic church has never only been a “me and Jesus” Church.
 
LiamQ said:
Do you think this might be a little too self-centered, rather than focused on God?
Click to expand...
I see how it might be taken that way. The focus on God is “God in all those people and parts of creation”. There is a bit of a “self” element too, because I have to open myself to communion, especially with enemies and with those I am in discord by use of the works/gift of forgiveness.

It’s not for everyone, for sure.
Cor_ad_Cor said:
I think these are the kind of questions Jesus might ask us, so for me, this is God-focused - putting our hearts more in alignment with his.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you can relate, then. Some parts are more difficult, in my experience.
 
To me personally, communion with others is like an application or an effect of Communion with Jesus… After I receive Him, I try to just open my heart to Him and I’ve wondered what its like for Him. I think it can be a very precious moment to give Him consolation for sin and His suffering for us
 
pianistclare said:
You are one with Christ Jesus.
That should suffice.
it’s a bout HIM.
Click to expand...
Yes, it is about Him, but it is also about us. Communion is “Christ meeting Himself”. And we find Him in the least of His people, the greatest of His people, etc.

What “suffices” can be good, and what causes growth can be better. But growth is multi-directional, so we have different focuses on our journeys. This is my focus at the moment. I do find a great deal of meaning in the Eucharist, it is so unifying.
Katherine438 said:
When I receive I am in communion with Jesus … I keep it pretty simple.
Click to expand...
Yes, there is a lot to be said for simplicity! 👍
CB_Catholic said:
I really don’t think that is quite correct. If it were, the CC would invite all Christians of whatever denomination to share the Eucharist with us. But she does not because we are not in communion with all other Christians. Our Holy Communion is a communion with Christ, yes, but it is also a communion with our Catholic brothers and sisters–we share the same faith and profess the same beliefs. Holy Communion expresses this profound belief that we are one with each other and with Christ. The Catholic church has never only been a “me and Jesus” Church.
Click to expand...
Great points, but also we can look forward to the further development of the Kingdom. While schism has divided, the Spirit unifies. To me, the unification moves much faster than the institutions can keep up. People of Christian faith are finding far more things in common than those things that separate. There is something to be said, too, for the commonalities found between those of faith and among those who profess none.
 
When Jesus had the last supper, they all were at the same table and it was a family experience. They all shared the same food and were aware of one another.

Holy Communion is taken with this same principle in mind … we are one family sharing the same food. It becomes richer when we keep this in mind, that is, one for all, and all for one, in Jesus. This indeed makes everyone stronger.

The one body is being fed by his sacred food and all abiding in him. It is good to take consolation that those who are suffering for their faith can be strengthened in their moment of conflict by those who are one with them in the body of Christ, wherever they may be. One body, one Christ, in union and love.

Psalm 66
O God, take pity on us and bless us, and let your face shine upon us…
 
Of course we do unite with each other as well in Communion… Though I think the Mass is actually a “memorial” of Calvary, rather than the Last Supper. Just something I remember reading in some theological text - I’m sorry I forgot where!

The Last Supper is related to Calvary too, of course
 
fred_conty said:
When Jesus had the last supper, they all were at the same table and it was a family experience. They all shared the same food and were aware of one another.

Holy Communion is taken with this same principle in mind … we are one family sharing the same food. It becomes richer when we keep this in mind, that is, one for all, and all for one, in Jesus. This indeed makes everyone stronger.

The one body is being fed by his sacred food and all abiding in him. It is good to take consolation that those who are suffering for their faith can be strengthened in their moment of conflict by those who are one with them in the body of Christ, wherever they may be. One body, one Christ, in union and love.

Psalm 66
O God, take pity on us and bless us, and let your face shine upon us…
Click to expand...
Thank you. These are good things to keep in mind.
 
Monica4316 said:
Of course we do unite with each other as well in Communion… Though I think the Mass is actually a “memorial” of Calvary, rather than the Last Supper. Just something I remember reading in some theological text - I’m sorry I forgot where!

The Last Supper is related to Calvary too, of course
Click to expand...
I like that idea of “memorial” too.

Since “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving”, it does serve to think of the reception as a memorial for all we are thankful. And it seems to me that when my thankfulness includes what I presented in the OP, I have a greater sense of wholeness, of oneness.

Actually, I do not feel gratitude that Jesus suffered, but I do feel gratitude for His words from the cross (especially His forgiveness) and that He came to save us knowing that He would have such a gruesome and humiliating end to His ministry on Earth. I am ever grateful for His rising!

I do think of Mary and her suffering at Calvary, and how it must have been so awful for her, but since Mass is a celebration, I don’t dwell on it!
 
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