Preparing for Communion
Discerning the Body
“Discerning the Body” refers to our awareness of what the Eucharist is and what the consequences of receiving it are for our lives. The recipient is expected to know what he or she is receiving and to act accordingly. To the best of our ability, we should know that:
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The Eucharist is the mystical body and blood of Christ which we receive “for the remission of sins and for eternal life.” This demands that we “approach with fear of God, with faith and with love” (Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom), marveling at the great privilege we have been given of receiving these mysteries through no merit of our own.
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The Eucharist is given to us so that “those who share the one Bread and the one Cup be united to one another in the communion of the Holy Spirit” (Liturgy of St. Basil). This demands that we who presume to receive the sacrament of unity be committed to the oneness of life with those around us. To do otherwise is not to discern the Body.
Because “discerning the Body” demands both reverence for the holy gifts and love for one another, our Church over the centuries has developed the following practices in preparation for receiving the Eucharistic mysteries:
Mutual Forgiveness
Referring to the Jewish temple sacrifices, the highpoint of worship in His day, Jesus taught: “If you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering” (Mt 5:23). Worship offered with a heart clouded by resentments and emotional “unfinished business” is not acceptable to God.
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And so the first aspect of preparing to receive Communion is resolving any differences we might have with others. Our Church incorporated this command of Christ into the Liturgy as the holy kiss where, before the great prayer offering (anaphora), we are enjoined to “love one another so that with one mind we may confess” what God has done for us. Many Eastern Christians also have the custom of making the rounds of their relatives and friends and asking forgiveness of each before they receive Communion. The sense of both these practices is clear: we cannot receive the sacrament of love without love in our hearts.
Prayers of Preparation
The prayerbooks of our Church contain a wealth of prayers in preparation for receiving the Eucharist. In some churches, a few of these prayers may be recited or sung in common at the Liturgy. People are also encouraged to direct their attention to the coming encounter with the Lord in this mystery by praying some of these prayers the evening and/or morning before attending the Liturgy. It is particularly important that parents read these prayers with their families before coming to church, especially when they have young children, so that the special character of the Eucharist may be impressed on them.
The Eucharistic Fast
Another way of heightening our awareness of the unique gift of divine life which is ours when we share in the Eucharist is by observing the Eucharistic fast. As we Prepare for the spiritual experiences of Pascha or Christmas by redirecting our energies through fasting, so too we do the same to prepare for Christ’s Eucharistic banquet. By it, we are proclaiming that we are waiting to be nourished, in the expectation of being filled with the fulness of the supersubstantial Bread of life.
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While it is not applied as legalistically as in the past, the fast retains its value for those who see it as a reminder that Christ is our nourisher and our nourishment as well. People are encouraged to fast from midnight, if possible, or at least a few hours according to their state of health. Approaching the Lord’s Table on a full stomach or stopping for coffee in the church hall for a cup of coffee before Liturgy indicates that we have not been waiting for the Bridegroom’s coming before feasting.
Approaching the Holy Table
It is folly not to approach Holy Communion with great awe, purified by prayer and fasting according to our ability (cf 1 Cor 11:26-31). At the time of Communion, we come forward with the right hand crossed over the left and held to the breast. While the person in front of you is communicating, make one or two metanies (deep bows with the Sign of the Cross). If the priest does not know you by name, mention it as you approach so that he can repeat it in the Communion formula. Then open your mouth widely and do not attempt to say anything else (amen, thank you, etc.) while the priest administers the holy mysteries to you.
In the Melkite Church, Communion is generally given by intinction: the holy bread is dipped into the chalice and placed in your mouth. The mouth must be fully open; the tongue may be extended or not. Most Byzantine Churches administer Communion with a spoon. When receiving in this manner, the tongue should not be extended, nor should the communicant close his mouth until the spoon has been removed.
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If the priest is carrying a communion cloth, wipe your lips with it after communicating, then step aside and again make a metany before going back to your place.
Giving thanks to the Lord
The final chants, litany, and prayer of the Liturgy express our gratitude for the gift of life we have been given. “We have seen the true Light, we have received the heavenly Spirit….” It is the time to remember the life to which we have been called and for which we have been empowered through the Eucharist.
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As with the prayers of preparation, the Church has a number of thanksgiving prayers intended to be said after Communion. In some churches, a few of them may be recited while people are receiving the antidoron or afterward. It is helpful to our striving to discern the Body if we listen attentively to these prayers or read them on our own. Again, reciting them as a family after returning home from the Liturgy is another way of helping children learn to know the great mystery they have received.
Preparing for Confession
Prayer before Confession
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I confess to You all the hidden and open sins of my heart and mind which I have done. And I ask You, the loving Judge, for the forgiveness of my sins and the grace to sin no more.
Examination of Conscience
In our prayers, we often say that we are sinners before God. Unless we are able to identify our own areas of sinfulness and weaknesses, we will not believe the words coming out of our mouths. When we do look at our behavior regularly, we will see the daily sins which remind us frequently that we need the forgiving love of God in our lives. We will come to a deeper knowledge of ourselves by regularly asking ourselves questions such as the following:​​
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How have I acted toward God?
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Have I prayed to Him every day?
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Have I used God’s name in bad ways?
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Have I gone to church every Sunday?
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How have I acted toward others?
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Have I shown respect to my parents, teachers, and other older people?
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Have I remembered to pray for them regularly?
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Have I been meant to my friends or anyone else?
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Have I cheated in school or stolen anything from another person or store?
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Have I spoken harshly about anyone?
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What can I do?
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Am I truly sorry for my sins?
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How can I help make things right again?
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Do I forgive others who have hurt me?
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Prayer After Confession
Almighty and merciful God, I truly thank You for the forgiveness of my sins. Bless me, O Lord, and help me always to do what is pleasing to You and to sin no more. Amen.