Matthew 22:1-14
Preparation for Mass and Holy Communion
The sermon today is on preparation for Mass and Holy Communion.
God spent 1,700 years preparing His chosen people to receive Him in Christ (from Abraham to Mary and Joseph of Nazareth). He took His people through flood and fire, slavery and forty years in the parched desert before finally preparing the womb of the Virgin as the first little palace to receive the King of kings upon His arrival on the earth. Millions upon millions of animal sacrifices were offered upon the altar of the Temple until the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world deigned to come down, finding a worthy person in which to dwell: Mary.
So the question for us today, in light of this Gospel of the wedding guest who entered improperly dressed is that preparation for God is important. How do you prepare yourself to come to Mass? do you have a special preparation for Mass? This is part of a broader question of how you are living your faith--personally. Are you prepared to meet God? Your fidelity to the Mass (even daily Mass), and how you prepare for Mass are an indication of whether you are living for God and for the things above.
The Church's liturgy testifies to necessary preparation for Mass in the purification of the soul. Baptism is the first washing of the human person that makes him a worthy guest in the House of God. Then there is the holy water at every door to renew the intention and increase and perpetuate the blessing of that first washing. Then the confiteor is the first prayer that all must say at Mass: "I confess to almighty God..." Mass begins with everyone repenting of and publicly confessing his personal and grave sins against God and against the Church. And the last prayer before communion is also a confession of unworthiness "Lord I am not worthy...but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." Confession of guilt and acknowledging our utter dependence on the benign mercy of Christ is essential to eucharistic piety. All of this is to say that you should be conscious of your inner disposition in order to approach and receive holy communion. It is not automatic. Confession is necessary (both in the confessional and in the Mass, before God and before the priest and the whole Church).
Frequent sacramental confession cleanses our soul. Prayers, penances (including every good work undertaken for love of God), our life of sacrificial love of God, that is the only proper preparation for kneeling to receive at the communion rail. The kneeling itself is an important sign of acknowledging your inferiority before the Lord of all. And there is always need for better preparation. Never forget the man improperly dressed! What embarassment! What shame! What a waisted trip and a waisted evening, and worst of all, a wasted reputation and life. All is lost if one should come to communion without being in the state of grace. "Grinding and gnashing of teeth." The wedding garment is the symbol of the godly life: the state of grace, which we will have only by the great mercy of God: we need forgiveness, repeatedly!
Here is a check list for proper preparation for Holy Communion.
1. Renew your sincere personal commitment to Christ and to the Catholic religion in it's entirety. Pray an act of love and devotion for the Pope, the local bishop and the pastor of the parish.
2. Be sure you have confessed all mortal sins, having made a detailed examination of conscience at least within the past year (the Easter Duty). As recommended by the Church, go frequently to confession.
3. Fast at least one hour before receiving, abstaining from all food and drink (including chewing gum!), the exceptions are water and necessary medications. Those who are ill are not bound.
4. Arrive early for Mass (at least fifteen minutes, in silence, for personal preparation and previewing the readings, etc.) E.g. leave all the gadgets at home! No radio, unnecessary noise on the way. Make the way to and from Church holy too, make it a weekly holy pilgrimage! I used to walk it! Paradise!
5. Pay attention to God at Mass. Attending and attention are two different things. "Wisdom, be attentive!" Don't hang out in the back nor allow your teenage children do that either. The ushers will be judged on their ensuring that no one is distracted in the back of the Church, especially themselves. Participate with your fervent and attentive prayer!
6. And, yes, dress up for Mass! Dresses, or skirts and blouses for ladies, and jackets for men! It is a formal occasion every time. Just notice how the priest is required to wear formal vestments for every Mass!
7. Stay a while after Mass giving thanks. Savor the moment of intimacy. It's not polite to eat and run, even when you eat God!
And, finally, those who cannot worthily approach (and all) should make a reverent spiritual communion from their pew, asking God to give the grace for a worthy reception of communion as soon as possible, in these or similar words: "Mary, Mother of Jesus, give me your heart so beautiful, so pure, so immaculate, so full of love and humility that I may be able to receive Jesus in the Bread of Life, love Him as You loved Him, and serve Him as you served Him. Amen.