Dear Parishioners of St. James:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Holy Communion results from the union of Jesus Christ with a soul in the state of grace (i.e., a person who is Baptized and free of mortal sin). The Most Holy Eucharist may be administered to a person but that does not necessarily mean that he or she received Holy Communion. Holy Scripture teaches, “For he who eats and drinks unworthily without discerning the Lord’s body eats and drinks condemnation to himself.” (1 Cor. 11:29) Only those properly disposed should receive the Body and the Blood of the Lord. Those who are properly disposed experience Holy Communion with God.
After Baptism, those persons who have achieved the age of reason and who are free from mortal sin should receive the Most Holy Eucharist since Jesus said, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood you do not have life within you.” (Jn. 6:53). Those who are conscious of mortal sin after Baptism must receive absolution from a priest in the Sacrament of Penance before receiving the Lord’s Body and Blood.
Sadly, many people offend Our Lord grievously by receiving the Most Holy Eucharist while carrying a mortal sin, such as missing Holy Mass on Sundays or holy days of obligation due to their own fault. God is most holy, and He desires union with us, but only when we are able to receive Him worthily. Venial sins are forgiven by the very act of receiving Holy Communion, but mortal sins are not. Daily prayer, frequent Confession, and worthy reception of the Most Blessed Sacrament actually keep us from committing mortal sins so that each reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood may increase our eternal glory.
May Holy Communion with God in us ever increase through worthy reception of the Sacrament of love. Then our praise of Him will never cease in this life and in the life of the blessed forever.
God bless you,
Fr. Geary
Saint James Catholic Church 