Eucharistic Coherence (2)

June 28, 2021 by Amy Welborn

I have pages of thoughts and notes on this matter, scraps of paper that I’ve contemplated for a bit every day this past week, trying to pull them together in a coherent way. Despairing at the time I think it would take to pull together all the threads I sense are important here.

And then, this morning, I thought – hey this is just a blog. Just work it out in pieces. Maybe they’ll…cohere…maybe they won’t.

So here’s part two.

In my last post, I wrote a bit on what needs to be “owned” on both sides of this discussion.

So here’s today’s thought:

Sometimes this conflict is described in shorthand as one between those who believe that the Eucharist is “a reward for saints” and those who understand it as “Bread for sinners.” In fact, this was a focus of Pope Francis’ Corpus Christi homily:

“The church of the perfect and pure is a room where there isn’t a place for anyone; the church with open doors that celebrates around Christ is, on the other hand, a large hall where everyone — the righteous and sinners — can enter,” the pope said in his homily during Mass June 6, to mark the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.

“The Eucharist is meant to nourish those who are tired and hungry along the journey, let’s not forget this!”

So true!

And a framework that is relied on for a “less judgmental” approach. But here’s the question:

Is that really the issue?

Has anyone through Catholic history understood the Eucharist as a “reward for saints” that they would only receive if they considered themselves a “saint?” Or is it a false dichotomy?

Of course, in the popular mind, things happen, and subtle truths get distorted so that yes, people would stay away from receiving Communion out of scrupulosity. As I’ve said before, the low numbers of communicants was one of the pastoral motivations for the energy of the 20^th century Liturgical Movement. I wrote about this many years ago here, for example.

But, was it truly as stark as that dichotomy suggests? Is it so today? Well, perhaps a roundabout way to get at the truth here is to take a look at some traditional pre- and post-Communion prayers. What would a person in the pew – who was actually going to receive Communion that day – be praying?

Here are some examples of prayers one would typically find in a pre-Vatican II missal, prayers of preparation before Mass or reception of Communion:

Aquinas:

Almighty and ever-living God, I draw near to the sacrament of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

I come sick to the physician of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the light of eternal brightness, poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth.

So I ask you, most generous Lord: graciously heal my infirmity, wash me clean, illumine my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness.

Ambrose:

I draw near to the table of your most delectable banquet, dear Lord Jesus Christ. A sinner, I trust not in my own merit; but, in fear and trembling, I rely on your mercy and goodness. I have a heart and body marked by my grave offenses, and a mind and a tongue I have not guarded well. For this reason, God of loving kindness and awesome majesty, I, a sinner caught by many snares, seek safe refuge in you. For you are the fountain of mercy.

I would fear to draw near to you as my judge, but I seek you out as my Savior. Lord, I show you my wounds, and I let you see my shame. Knowing my sins are many and great, I have reason to fear. But I trust in your mercies, for they are beyond all numbering.

John Chrysostom:

I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.

And I believe that this is Thy pure Body and Thy own precious Blood. Therefore, I pray Thee, have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown.

And of course, Ignatius of Loyola:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.