How to approach the eucharist?

[mdgspencer]

I have read somewhere that to benefit from communion we should approach with faith. I have often wondered what this means, especialy as I am about to go to communion. Or is this view off the mark?

 

[pray4peace]

I approach the Eucharist in the state of grace accepting the living presence our Savior, Jesus Christ into my body. The gift of faith allows me to believe.

 

[jmcrae]

I have read somewhere that to benefit from communion we should approach with faith. I have often wondered what this means, especialy as I am about to go to communion. Or is this view off the mark?

It means that we make a conscious decision to believe that it is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, whole and entire - and that we approach it with all the reverence due to Him. (Pray, “I believe Lord; help Thou mine unbelief.”)

We don’t wait to be convinced with rational arguments, and we don’t wait for a flood of overpowering emotions to sweep us away - we just decide that we are going to believe that this is true, simply because it is true - and we know it is, because Christ’s Church, founded upon the Apostles, and safely preserved for us by their successors, the Bishops, teaches it.

 

[Dempsey1919]

First, confess any mortal sins to a Priest before you receive as you must be in a state of grace. Never receive the Eucharist if you are in a state of mortal sin.
mgdspencer:

I have read somewhere that to benefit from communion we should approach with faith. I have often wondered what this means, especialy as I am about to go to communion. Or is this view off the mark?

During the Mass you should meditate on the Passion of Christ, while being aware that this same sacrifice is happening at the altar. The Priest is bringing the actual sacrifice of Calvary to us. We are not re-crucifying Jesus, but the Priest is transporting us down through the centuries to the crucifiction. We as Catholics acknowledge only one perfect sacrifice.

Before I receive, I say something like the following:

Lord Jesus, I firmly believe that you are present on the altar. I believe that the Most Holy Eucharist is your body, blood, soul, and divinity. Forgive me of my sins and make me worthy to receive you. Amen.

Always be aware that the Mass is the most holy thing on Earth. Always believe that the Eucharist is truly Jesus under the species of bread and wine. Don’t take it for granted, and be grateful that the Lord is calling you to receive him; it is not a right but a privledge and a gift.