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The Light of the World
If one is to receive the Eucharist with profit, one must be properly prepared. The Church
requires of us, not only that we be in the state of grace, but also that we approach with the proper
motives and the proper dispositions. If we receive from the force of habit, out of mere vanity,
because we wish to enjoy the esteem of other men, or for any other human motive, we are not
properly disposed. The proper motive for the reception of Holy Communion is the desire for
a closer union with God. Another good motive is that we may gain strength to overcome our
evil habits and free ourselves from all our faults. We may be sure that, whatever the evil habit
that binds us, we shall be able to free ourselves from it if we persist in the frequent and worthy
reception of the Sacrament. If in spite of our struggles and the frequent reception of the
Sacrament, we find that we still fall back frequently into the same sins, we may be fairly sure
that we have not prepared ourselves sufficiently and that we need to improve our disposition
for receiving Holy Communion.
We should examine ourselves frequently and discover whether we are approaching the
Sacrament with a sincere desire to achieve purity of heart. Much of the fruit of the Mass and
Holy Communion depends upon the disposition of our soul. Let us, then, approach the Lord
again and ask Him humbly, “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” Without Thy help
the task is too great for me. “Stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty” and heal me as Thou
didst heal the leper, and say to my troubled soul, “I will. Be thou made clean.”
Prayer
Almighty and eternal God, graciously look upon our infirmity and stretch forth the right hand
of Thy majesty to protect us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saturday
The disposition of the Roman centurion is worthy of our admiration. He explains briefly his
servant’s condition to the Lord. Christ answers him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion
had not asked for this favor and even feels that he is unworthy of so great a favor. “Lord, I am not
worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant shall
be healed.” The Church has found no words more fitting than these for the soul approaching
the Eucharist.
“Lord, I am not worthy.” The dwelling place of Christ must be free from all sin. The only one
who was truly worthy to receive Christ was His immaculate mother, who by a special grace
had been preserved even from Original Sin. From the first moment of her existence she was
free from all stain. She was so firmly established in grace and virtue that during her entire life
she was never guilty of the least fault. Her every thought, word, and deed was performed in the
most perfect conformity to the will of God and in the most perfect purity. In the eyes of God she
remained the spotless one, the single example of perfect virtue. Her motives were never tainted
with self-seeking; her prayers sought only what was the will of God; her works were performed
only that He might be glorified. So great was her purity of heart that the human mind can scarce
conceive it. God’s kindly providence watched over the days of her childhood and her sojourn
in the temple. She and she alone was worthy to become the dwelling place of the Most High.
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