“Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the chalice.  For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks judgment unto himself for not discerning the body of the Lord” (1 Cor 11 28-29).
   

    In every age, the Church echoes Saint Paul’s fervent appeal.  During this Year of the Eucharist, let us heed the Apostle’s exhortation.  When we receive Holy Communion, we want to be as prepared as possible.   
   

    Our Divine Savior's words are unmistakable: "Unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood, you will not have life in you" (John 6:53). Thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church invites the faithful to receive every Sunday and Holy Day, even daily (N. 1389). If we cannot survive physically without food, how much more catastrophic is spiritual starvation?
     

    From apostolic times, however, the Church has insisted that one must be in the state of sanctifying grace before receiving the Eucharist.  Saint Peter Julian Eymard, in his book, Holy Communion wrote: “Let us be mindful of this essential condition: purity of conscience.  The Church, through the Council of Trent, strongly enjoins it upon us and expressly forbids us, if there be mortal sin on our conscience, to receive Holy Communion before we have confessed, no matter how sincere our repentance may otherwise be” (p.12). In our age, the Catechism renews this admonition (N. 1385 & 1457).
   

    Bishop Robert Carlson of Sioux Falls in his Pastoral Letter, The Pledge of Future Glory, June 18, 1995, is equally clear: "When conscious of any mortal sin, a person is obliged to confess all sins to a priest within the Sacrament of Penance before approaching the Altar to receive Holy Communion.  To receive Holy Communion unworthily is to commit a sacrilege: `a grave sin especially when committed against the Eucharist (Catechism N. 2120).'"
   

    The Church also requires that Christ’s faithful fast from all food and drink, except water and medicine, for one hour before receiving Holy Communion.  Having observed these fundamental requirements, let us approach the Eucharistic table with confidence.  Our Blessed Savior did not merely invite us to receive Him.  He issued a divine command: "Unless you eat my Body and drink my Blood, you will have no life in you!" 
   

    Can there be a more intimate union with Jesus than there is in Holy Communion?  Our Lord wants us to be united with Him, always.  The Blessed Eucharist is the divine outpouring of His infinite love for every human person. 
   

    Only our Eucharistic Savior can truly satisfy the hungry heart.  Saint Ignatius of Antioch said: "For my drink, I crave the Blood of Christ, which is love imperishable." Our Lord, really, truly and substantially present in the Eucharist, is indeed the Bread of Life. 
   

    Mindful of our complete unworthiness, let us humbly repeat the Centurion's prayer as we approach the altar: "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should come under my roof.  Yet, only say the word and my soul shall be healed" (Matthew 8:8).