20th Sunday – Reflection – Prov. 9:1-6; Eph. 5:15-20; John 6:51-58

He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him.

Eating the body of Jesus and drinking His blood does not bring temporary benefits, like a pill for a headache. It also does not leave traces that disappear with the passing of the days. Instead, it creates a lasting relationship, “a dwelling – not shared moments, but a whole life”.

Everyone is invited to the Lord’s Supper, as to a royal wedding feast, but in wedding garments. However, only those who are fully incorporated into the Catholic Church and in a state of grace, that is, without awareness of mortal sin, can receive Communion. Those who are aware of committing a grave sin must receive the sacrament of penance and reconciliation before receiving Communion. Also important are concentration and prayer, observing the Eucharistic fast, and body posture and appropriate attire, as a sign of respect for Christ.

If the lack of peace with our brothers and sisters, perhaps because of misunderstandings, jealousy or inheritance issues, requires reconciliation with them before approaching the altar, what about receiving Communion with hatred, resentment, a desire for revenge, jealousy, envy or malice in our hearts. Everything that separates us from our brothers and sisters, consciously, without an explicit will to convert, prevents us from participating in the banquet of the Lamb.

Each communion causes eternal life to sprout within us in anticipation of the encounter with the Risen Christ. To receive this immense gift worthily, attention “during” is not enough, but requires commitment before and after. “Before”: coming to the Eucharist with sincere gratitude to the Lord who invites us to His table with a heart open to forgiveness and mercy. “After”: sowing in our lives the power of the bread that, having come down from heaven, pushes us towards heaven, living humbly but perseveringly.