Holy Communion Is Not Magic - God's Part and Our Part Are Both Necessary

We receive a myriad of benefits from a Holy Communion; some we can detect, but most, not so much. This is because the vast majority of God's action is taking place deep down inside of our souls beyond the reach of our senses. For this reason, it can be tempting to think that nothing is happening merely because we do not feel anything at the moment we consume the Eucharist. But, Holy Communion is not magic. Our disposition when we receive it matters and our response to the graces and blessings we receive is so important. These gifts place serious obligations upon us for which we will have to give an account one day.  For, in receiving Holy Communion, we are renewing the covenant with God that began for us in Baptism and this covenant is a two-sided relationship - God’s part and our part. 

Keep in mind that the ultimate goal of the Christian life is for us to participate in the life of the Holy Trinity with our whole being; this is the reason grace is given to us - to make us sharers of the divine nature. We enter into a covenant with God through Baptism where we are grafted onto Christ and His Mystical Body, the Church, and are made capable of living a divine, supernatural life. Every Holy Communion takes us deeper into that reality. 

This article will mention what the Church teaches that God is doing every time we come to this sacrament with the right dispositions and some ideas of how to cooperate with so great a gift. But, as I mentioned, most of this is going on deep down inside of our souls, beyond the reach of our senses. Our cooperation, even our best efforts, will be a very small part of what actually happens, but it is necessary because it helps us to grow in virtue, especially humility and that makes our souls good soil for God's grace to work. It shows our good will and tells God that we are serious about our desire to grow in holiness. 

The following is a summary from the Catechism of the Catholic Church of the fruits of Holy Communion. This is God’s part of the covenant. Each one calls for a personal response from us. "Our Part" (in red) includes possible responses. My suggestion is to pick one of these possible responses and focus on that for a period of time. If you try to conquer all of them at once, it could be very overwhelming. 

1. HOLY COMMUNION AUGMENTS OUR UNION WITH CHRIST: the principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist in Holy Communion is an intimate union with Christ Jesus.

Our Part: We have a responsibility to do our best to keep this in mind as we go about our daily lives. We are united with Christ and can tap into his love for others at any moment. The regular practice of mental prayer and short prayers throughout the day will greatly help with this.

2. WHAT MATERIAL FOOD PRODUCES IN OUR BODILY LIFE, HOLY COMMUNION WONDERFULLY ACHIEVES IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE. Communion with the flesh of the risen Christ...PRESERVES, INCREASES AND RENEWS THE LIFE OF GRACE RECEIVED IN BAPTISM. This growth in Christian life needs the nourishment of Eucharistic Communion, the bread for our pilgrimage until the moment of death, when it will be given to us as viaticum.

Our Part: Receive the Eucharist as often as possible; the bare minumum on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

3. HOLY COMMUNION SEPARATES US FROM SIN. The body of Christ we receive in Holy Communion is "given up for us," and the blood we drink "shed for the many for the forgiveness of sins." For this reason the Eucharist cannot unite us to Christ without at the same time cleansing us from past sins and preserving us from future sins. 

Our Part: We have a responsibility to examine our consciences on a regular basis to see where we are sinning so that we can cooperate with this cleansing and truly repent and make amends.

4. “As bodily nourishment restores lost strength, so the Eucharist STRENGTHENS OUR CHARITY, WHICH TENDS TO BE WEAKENED IN DAILY LIFE, AND THIS LIVING CHARITY WIPES AWAY VENIAL SINS. 

Our Part: Our responsibility is to learn about the theological virtue of Charity so that we can understand how Jesus might be strengthening us in it. Who am I not loving? Not forgiving? How can I love them better?

5. By giving himself to us Christ REVIVES OUR LOVE AND ENABLES US TO BREAK OUR DISORDERED ATTACHMENTS TO CREATURES AND ROOT OURSELVES IN HIM. 

Our Part: Prayerfully consider the following: What am I attached to that I need to let go of? What steps can I take to cooperate with this grace and uproot this from my life?

6. By this same charity that it enkindles in us, the Eucharist PRESERVES US FROM FUTURE MORTAL SINS. The more we share the life of Christ and progress in his friendship, the more difficult it is to break away from him by mortal sin. The Eucharist is not ordered to the forgiveness of mortal sins - that is proper to the sacrament of Reconciliation. The Eucharist is properly the sacrament of those who are in full communion with the Church. 

Our Part: We must be in the “state of grace” to receive the Eucharist. If we are not, we have the obligation to sincerely repent and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation confessing all of our mortal sins before presenting ourselves for Holy Communion. 

If we are not in the state of grace, coming to Mass might be helpful because of the homily, prayers, people, etc. but receiving the Eucharist will not be helpful because our souls are not in a position to benefit from it. As a matter of fact, if we receive Holy Communion in the state of mortal sin, we will bring down the covenantal curses upon ourselves.

7. THE UNITY OF THE MYSTICAL BODY: the Eucharist makes the Church. Those who receive the Eucharist are united more closely to Christ. Through it Christ unites them to all the faithful in one body - the Church. Communion renews, strengthens, and deepens this incorporation into the Church, already achieved by Baptism. In Baptism we have been called to form but one body (1 Corinthians 12:13).  The Eucharist fulfills this call. 

Our Part: Our responsibility is to work and pray for this unity and to keep in mind that all members of the Church are our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

8. The Eucharist COMMITS US TO THE POOR. To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren.

Our Part: We have the responsibility to use our time, talent and treasure to practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy according to God’s unique will for us. 

9. THE EUCHARIST COMMITS US TO PRAY DILIGENTLY FOR THE UNITY OF CHRISTIANS…The more painful the experience of the divisions in the Church which break the common participation in the table of the Lord, the more urgent are our prayers to the Lord that the time of complete unity among all who believe in him may return.

Our Part: We have the responsibility to pray and sacrifice for this intention, and evangelize (speak the truth in love) when the occasion presents itself.

10. The Eucharist is also an ANTICIPATION OF THE HEAVENLY GLORY.  In an ancient prayer the Church acclaims the mystery of the Eucharist: "O sacred banquet in which Christ is received as food, the memory of his Passion is renewed, the soul is filled with grace and a pledge of the life to come is given to us." If the Eucharist is the memorial of the Passover of the Lord Jesus, if by our communion at the altar we are filled "with every heavenly blessing and grace,"  then the Eucharist is also an anticipation of the heavenly glory. 

Our Part: We need to hold ourselves accountable and daily ask ourselves how can we be better examples of this reality?

Quotes from the saints:

JESUS WELCOMES OUR COMMUNIONS VERY MUCH: “He does not descend from heaven to remain in golden vessels, but to come into our souls” (Saint Theresa of Lisieux). 

Our Part: It is our responsibility to honor his desire.

“If they only understood what the Eucharist is, souls would run to the altar rail faster than the thirsting deer run to a fountain” (The Curé of Ars, Saint John Vianney). 

Our Part: We have an obligation to continue to learn about the Eucharist.

Holy Communion is the "SOURCE OF LIFE AND FOUNTAIN OF GRACE. It forgives sin and weakens the hold of selfish desires” (Saint Thomas Aquinas). 

Our Part: We should ask ourselves: What sins and selfish desires is Jesus trying to free me from and take the practical steps to free yourself from these.

Holy Communion (Saint Thomas Aquinas):

STRENGTHENS THE WEAK
INCREASES VIRTUE 
MAKES GRACE ABOUND
PURGES AWAY VICES
REFRESHES THE SOUL

Our Part: Christ does all of this to enable us to do live up to our commitment to love the way he does as the quotes below affirm:

“Whoever receives Jesus often in Communion MUST AFTERWARDS RADIATE HIM IN HIS OWN LIFE” (The Curé of Ars, Saint John Vianney).

Each one of us OUGHT “TO SHOW FORTH THE LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST IN WORDS AND ACTIONS, BY RADIATING CHARITY” (Saint Peter Julian Eymard).

“THE TONGUE ON WHICH THE HOST IS PLACED SHOULD NOT KNOW BITTER WORDS, NOR THE HEART IN WHICH JESUS DWELLS KNOW HATRED” (Blessed Timothy Giaccardo).

“Do you eat of Christ Truth and then lie about others? Do you eat Christ Love and then hate your neighbor?” (Saint Peter Chrysologus).

“The Eucharist is an ardent furnace of charity; let us go to him to inflame our hearts with his love” (Blessed Timothy Giaccardo). 

“Your main motive for receiving communion should be to advance, strengthen and console yourself in the love of God…Our Lord is never more loving and tender than when he humbles himself and comes to us in the form of food that he may enter…into intimate union with us” (Saint Francis de Sales).

So, do your best to live up to your responsibilities and work on your prayer life and on your efforts to grow in virtue. Ask God to change your desires in to His desires and receive the Eucharist as often as you can. This is the best way to benefit fully from this wonderful gift!