I have developed a fear of the Eucharist

[RGCheek]

The advice so far is truly appreciated and I feel encouraged to renew my efforts to deal with this.

My autism spectrum disorder is also an issue and my claustrophobic sense of being crowded in during mass. But when I began to feel this dreadfulness about taking the Eucharist, it was kind of the final straw.

God willing, I will take the Eucharist this Sunday.

Thank you all for your help.

I really appreciate it very much.

 

[OurLadysServant]

Jesus wants us to receive Him in communion if we are in a state of grace.

He died on a Cross so He could be present in the Eucharist -just for you.
Do receive Him!!

Don’t we all say in the mass before communion; ‘Lord, I am NOT worthy that you should enter under my roof. But only say the word my soul shall be healed.’

Did you know each communion you receive wipes out ALL your venial sins?
That each communion received gains for you a saint to be with you when you are dying?
That it raises your place in Heaven forever?
That it gives you graces to be a saint and fills you with the Holy Spirit?
That Jesus is waiting ALL week as a prisoner in the tabernacle, feeling all the pains of His passion, as He waits with longing to be received by you at communion?

Jesus said in the bible; ‘He who does not eat and drink the body and blood of the Son of Man, does NOT have life in him’
‘whoever eats and drinks the body and the blood of the Son of Man has Me in him and him in Me and I will raise him up on the Last Day.’

Don’t you WANT to be UNITED to Jesus? To be RESSURRECTED on the last day? To have an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN? To have graces not to sin?
Jesus also said: ‘Apart from Me, you can do nothing.’ ‘I am the Vine, you are the branches’
When we receive communion we become Christ’s Body on earth, His hands and feet.

The only person not allowed receive communion is someone with unconfessed mortal sin, this is the only way to bring condemnation

So:
Do receive Jesus!

All this is a sign of your humility. Which is good. Keep receiving Jesus.
He wants you to receive him if you are in a state of grace. If you are in a state of grace forget about any other thought, Jesus loves you so much that He can’t wait to be given to you in Holy Communion, He waits all week just to be received by you, He is full of Mercy and Love, and wants to fill you with graces for the week and help you get to Heaven.
God is love.

Cant explain it. The realization hit me a few years ago. This wafer the priest is putting into my mouth is a part of the Creator in a very special sense, akin to the Divine Presence of God in the Holy of Holies in the Temple that no one could enter except for the High Priest on a specific Holy Day, once a year.

And I am putting Him into my body?

After all the things I have done, forgiven or not, I cannot do it any more.

The mere thought of it all is just overwhelming. I cant even come anywhere near it.

It just feels completely wrong for me to do so.

Cant shake it.

 

[sudy]

Jesus said, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.’

I’m afraid you really do need to overcome this fear… we all feel unworthy but we must do as Our Lord asks of us. Please speak with your priest about this.

The other aspect is that you have to really, truly, trust in the forgiveness of your sins… Please read John 20: 23. forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=12492770&postcount=2

 

[Speramus]

how dare I approach the Divine Presence of God?

What a gift you have been given! God is all-pure, all-holy, and He tells us to be perfect as He is perfect. Are we? Do we even really try? If not, how dare we approach Him in Holy Communion?

And yet He commands us, even you and I, to receive Him. Trust in His wisdom.

Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence.
In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.
Proverbs 3:5-6

The realization of your unworthiness to receive Holy Communion is a gift. It is a step on the road to holiness. Don’t stop there. God loves you and wants more for you than sorrow.

A prayer from Saint Thomas Aquinas:

Almighty and everlasting God, behold, I am about to approach the Sacrament of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I approach as one who is sick to the physician of life, as one unclean to the well-spring of mercy and goodness, as one blind to the light of eternal brightness, as one poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Wherefore I beseech Thee, of Thine infinite goodness, to heal my sickness, to wash away my filth, to enlighten my blindness, to enrich my poverty, and to clothe my nakedness, that I may receive the Bread of Angels, the King of kings, and Lord of lords with such reverence, such purity and faith, with such purpose and intention, as may conduce to the salvation of my soul. Grant, I beseech Thee, that I may receive not only the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Lord, but also the fruit and virtue of the Sacrament. O most indulgent and merciful God, grant me so to receive the Body of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which He took of the Virgin Mary, that I may be found worthy to be incorporated with His mystical body and numbered among His members. O most loving Father, grant that I may one day contemplate for ever face to face Thy beloved Son, whom now on my pilgrimage I am about to receive under a veil, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

[ProVobis]

… and my claustrophobic sense of being crowded in during mass.

You’re not alone there. In fact, in many places you feel almost forced to join in the communion line.

 

[OraLabora]

The advice so far is truly appreciated and I feel encouraged to renew my efforts to deal with this.

My autism spectrum disorder is also an issue and my claustrophobic sense of being crowded in during mass. But when I began to feel this dreadfulness about taking the Eucharist, it was kind of the final straw.

God willing, I will take the Eucharist this Sunday.

Thank you all for your help.

I really appreciate it very much.

Dear RG you are in my prayers. While I don’t fear the Eucharist, nor have an autism disorder, I do not myself like feeling crowded in at Mass (or anywhere) and must always sit at the end of a pew (and always take aisle seats on planes). So I can understand you there.

Remember that God took on our frail human condition so we could approach Him, touch Him, and have a true relationship with Him. A good father will overlook many of his sons’ and daughters’ foibles as they mature in life and God our Father is the same with us as we mature in faith. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, He knows it’s impossible, but He recognizes our efforts to grow.

 

[Andre1000]

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom

In the Septuagint it is:
αρχη σοφιας φοβος κυριου

Here the word translated with fear is φοβος(phobos), the dictionary says it means:

1. fear, dread, terror
   1a) that which strikes terror

 

[HelenRose]

The advice so far is truly appreciated and I feel encouraged to renew my efforts to deal with this.

My autism spectrum disorder is also an issue and my claustrophobic sense of being crowded in during mass. But when I began to feel this dreadfulness about taking the Eucharist, it was kind of the final straw.

God willing, I will take the Eucharist this Sunday.

Thank you all for your help.

I really appreciate it very much.

I understand how you must feel.
No, I am not worthy. That is why I love the prayer of the Centurion.

“Lord, I am not worthy that you should
come under my roof.
Only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

He comes to us; he heals our souls in the Eucharist.

 

[ccmcmg]

I would say this is a ‘healthy fear’,or more accurately, a ‘healthy respect’ for the Body of Christ.

We cannot make ourselves worthy, but we are made worthy by Jesus Christ Himself. He wants us to receive Him, He asked us to receive Him. We should remember that we aren’t worthy, but His Love, Sacrifice, has asked us to receive Him.

I loved Josh’s reply, and am going to save it, and read the full bodies of work that he quoted.

At times, when I receive Him properly and am in the proper state of mind, my human mind and heart is overwhelmed with what He has done for me, and the little He has asked of me in return. I am overwhelmed by tears and cannot stop them. It’s both joy and humility that overwhelms me, a sadness and a happiness, for my sins and His Sacrifice, His Love for me, for each of us. WOW.

Jesus Christ gave Himself on the Crucifix, and at each Mass, knowing that we are sinners, that we cannot make ourselves worthy. Yet, He still gives Himself to us.

 

[RGCheek]

You’re not alone there. In fact, in many places you feel almost forced to join in the communion line.

Dear RG you are in my prayers. While I don’t fear the Eucharist, nor have an autism disorder, I do not myself like feeling crowded in at Mass (or anywhere) and must always sit at the end of a pew (and always take aisle seats on planes). So I can understand you there.

Yep, that is where I am at. And all it takes is for some baby to start crying two rows back to make me want to climb the walls with my fingernails.

 

[littlestsouls2]

Ponder these words of Our Lord to Bl. Emily Bicchieri:

“Beloved Spouse, why art thou afraid to approach My Banquet?
Have I not prepared it on purpose that I might feed thee with My Flesh and Blood?
Come without fear, and look not so much at thine own vileness, but rather on the loving pity which has moved Me to institute this Sacrament for the happiness of My creatures.
Learn that those who receive Me out of love please Me infinitely more than those who keep away from Me out of fear.”

 

[OurLadysServant]

The New Testament is different!
Jesus forbade his apostles to call fire down from heaven on a town!

Remember the woman with the brain hemorrage who touched Jesus garment and was healed? And he perceived power going out of Him. Jesus was not angry. He told her her faith healed her
Well we get to come in contact with Jesus exactly not just tipping the hem of his garment .

Jesus WANTS you to receive him .
It’s only if you are in unconfessed mortal sin that we are not allowed to receive him

I have, but this isn’t a rational thing, but an emotional thing.

God is so beyond us. I recall an incident in the OT where a man who was helping to move the Ark to the new site in Jerusalem touched the Ark in order to steady it and God struck him down.

I don’t think we truly appreciate the concept of God being so Holy that He would kill people who failed to show Him the proper respect. Not suggesting it is true now, but it does provide for a certain historical dimension that makes me feel unworthy, so freaking unworthy, how dare I approach the Divine Presence of God?

 

[OurLadysServant]

Always receive the Eucharist when you are in a state of grace.
You will upset The Lord very much by not receiving Him.

Could not the bad spirit be tempting you to not receive the Eucharist? Giving you scruples?
The bad spirit would love to seperate anyone from the Eucharist. The bad spirit used similar reasoning with Sr Mary of St Peter until a priest told her to go back on communion, that Satan was tricking her

QUOTE=RGCheek;12501630]The advice so far is truly appreciated and I feel encouraged to renew my efforts to deal with this.

My autism spectrum disorder is also an issue and my claustrophobic sense of being crowded in during mass. But when I began to feel this dreadfulness about taking the Eucharist, it was kind of the final straw.

God willing, I will take the Eucharist this Sunday.

Thank you all for your help.

I really appreciate it very much.

 

[Petaro]

Cant explain it. The realization hit me a few years ago. This wafer the priest is putting into my mouth is a part of the Creator in a very special sense, akin to the Divine Presence of God in the Holy of Holies in the Temple that no one could enter except for the High Priest on a specific Holy Day, once a year.

And I am putting Him into my body?

After all the things I have done, forgiven or not, I cannot do it any more.

The mere thought of it all is just overwhelming. I cant even come anywhere near it.

It just feels completely wrong for me to do so.

Cant shake it.

I can fully appreciate the awe and fear you comprehend in the thought of receiving the Body Blood Soul and Divinity of our God. You are right to be in awe and a little afraid. But the fear of His Justice is blown away by the sacrifice of Christ and the Mercy that is at the center of His Sacred Heart.
I despise my past sins and keep raising them in my prayers. But some silent voice tells me they are forgotten as a loving Father forgets the past failure of His family, calling them to His supper.
Keep this gift of awe in our God, as signaled to us by the Holy Angles who cry out forever His praises. We have no comprehension of His Greatness, or we would be forever on our knees.
But do not be afraid to rise up and take the ring and the sandals of His sonship and go into His home for the feast, not waiting outside like the truculent son. Although he acted in pique, whilst your reluctance is found in humility. Do not ignore the Pope’s words that the Eucharist is a medicine as well as a reward. God bless you, a good man searching.

 

[CaptFun]

Cant explain it. The realization hit me a few years ago. This wafer the priest is putting into my mouth is a part of the Creator in a very special sense, akin to the Divine Presence of God in the Holy of Holies in the Temple that no one could enter except for the High Priest on a specific Holy Day, once a year.

And I am putting Him into my body?

After all the things I have done, forgiven or not, I cannot do it any more.

The mere thought of it all is just overwhelming. I cant even come anywhere near it.

It just feels completely wrong for me to do so.

Cant shake it.

You may insightful in your encountering utter holiness and the most sublime gift the Son of God ever gave us.

It is almost infinitely better than the accidentally casual disregard I sometimes have for the Eucharist (despite my knowing better).

If it’s any consolation to you … your reaction (and your sharing about it) reminded me of Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ insistence that He would wash Peter’s feet!

John 13:8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

OR Isaiah … until the Angel “purged his lips”

Isaiah 6:4 Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar.

7 He touched my mouth with it. “See,” he said, “now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!”

And since the Lord Himself has said “Take this and eat of it … THIS is my body … etc.”

we ought to listen to our Blessed Mother’s advice:

John 2:5 His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”

… however we may feel about it as we do!

 

[godisgood77]

Well I do fear God, that is for sure, and I dread His Judgment. The recollection of my sins and what they merit make me so.

Are there holes in Gods’ Forgiveness net? Not according to the church, but with my luck I would be a rare exception, lol.

God should be feared, or else you are not taking Him seriously enough, it seems to me.

Couldn’t disagree more… God should be longed for…I can’t imagine that anyone would tremble with fear in His presence … Quite the opposite really … We would overflow with joy and grace… I’m not afraid of that… I long for it!!

Be not afraid!!! Go to Him

 

[RGCheek]

Couldn’t disagree more… God should be longed for…I can’t imagine that anyone would tremble with fear in His presence … Quite the opposite really … We would overflow with joy and grace… I’m not afraid of that… I long for it!!

Be not afraid!!! Go to Him

Oh, I do long for God, but like the shy awkward school boy who fears the consequences of rejection, I long from afar. Realizing the proximity that the Eucharist brought me into with Him, was like the school boy being caught staring from around a corner.

Total fear and trepidation overwhelmed me, but I think I am getting over it. I see now and feel in my heart that my crush is smiling at me and waving to me to come over.

And so I shall.

 

[Thomas_White]

Cant explain it. The realization hit me a few years ago. This wafer the priest is putting into my mouth is a part of the Creator in a very special sense, akin to the Divine Presence of God in the Holy of Holies in the Temple that no one could enter except for the High Priest on a specific Holy Day, once a year.

And I am putting Him into my body? /QUOTE]

No. I don’t think that is correct. The Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ, and specifically that which was sacrificed for our salvation. It is akin to the sacrifice in the Temple and not the Divine presence of God in the Holy of Holies. Christ’s sacrifice was the perfect sacrifice, and it superseded the continual sacrifices in the Temple. It need never be repeated. Receiving Holy Communication is related to this sacrifice, as the body and blood of Christ, true God and true Man, but it is not the full revelation of the Father.

 

[Thomas_White]

A further note: Receiving Holy Communion is to receive the sacrifice offered by the body and blood of Christ, a perfect sacrifice done for our salvation. It is not itself salvation but could be said to receive its promise. Again, it is not the experience of the full revelation of the Father and certainly not to receive the Father unto yourself. There is nothing to fear.

 

[loozcannon]

Allow me to say I have a similar problem. Not necessarily a fear of approaching it, but more of a realization that I’m in mortal sin. I have no idea what it’s like to be a daily communicant. Seems like I commit mortal sin way too often. Best way I know is to do the Saturday reconciliation, then immediately the Saturday vigil mass.