The Right Way to Receive Holy Communion (Aquinas 101)

Summary

This script delves into the profound significance of the Eucharist as the greatest sacrament, symbolizing the real presence of Jesus Christ. It highlights the necessity of spiritual dispositions for a fruitful Holy Communion, including faith in the Eucharist's real presence, humility, confidence in God's grace, desire for the sacrament, and reverence. The importance of receiving Holy Communion in a state of grace and the transformative effects of this sacrament on the soul are emphasized, encouraging believers to cultivate these qualities for a deeper spiritual experience.

Takeaways

• 🍞 The Eucharist is considered the greatest gift from God, being the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ.
• 🔥 Holy Communion is said to enkindle the fire of divine love in our hearts and unite us in a supernatural fellowship with God.
• 🌱 The sacrament of the Eucharist is the source of all grace, with each of the seven sacraments having its own effects on the soul.
• 💔 Receiving Holy Communion in a state of serious sin without repentance is warned against due to its grave consequences.
• 🙏 A living faith in the Eucharist is essential for receiving its grace, and it's encouraged to recall the real presence of Christ in the sacrament.
• 🧘 Humility is crucial when receiving Holy Communion, acknowledging our finite nature in comparison to God's infinite love.
• 💎 Confidence in the Eucharist means trusting in God for grace, regardless of our personal preparedness.
• ❤️ Desire for the Eucharist is the longing to be in the company of Jesus and to receive His love and grace.
• 🙇‍♂️ Reverence for the Eucharist is an interior act of acknowledging God's greatness, expressed through physical signs and gestures.
• 📜 The spiritual dispositions for a fruitful Holy Communion include faith, humility, confidence, desire, and reverence.
• 📚 For further learning on Aquinas and the Eucharist, the script suggests visiting aquinus101.com and signing up for free video courses.

Q & A

What is considered the greatest gift God has given to the world according to the script?

The Eucharist is considered the greatest gift God has given to the world, as it is truly the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ himself present in our midst.

What does Jesus Christ teach about the Eucharist and its effect on those who partake in it?

Jesus Christ taught that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood abides in him and he in them. The Eucharist causes the life of grace to grow in our souls.

How does one's state of mind and heart affect the fruitfulness of receiving Holy Communion?

One's state of mind and heart can make a difference in how fruitful the sacrament of Holy Communion is when received, suggesting that spiritual dispositions are important for a fruitful reception.

What are the sacraments and how do they relate to the Eucharist?

Sacraments are established by Jesus Christ in his church to receive his saving grace. The Eucharist is the greatest sacrament, being the sacrifice Jesus offered on Calvary and his real presence shared with us.

What are the primary effects of the Eucharist as taught by the fathers of the church and St. Thomas?

The primary effect of the Eucharist is to enkindle the fire of divine love in our hearts. It also unites all members of the mystical Body of Christ in a supernatural fellowship with God, forgives venial sins, preserves from future sins, and grows the life of sanctifying grace in our souls.

How do natural causes and their effects relate to the spiritual effects of Holy Communion?

Just as natural causes produce effects under certain conditions that can modify those effects, Holy Communion works great effects and bears fruit in the soul when certain spiritual dispositions or conditions are present in the recipient.

What is the most minimal and absolutely necessary spiritual disposition for receiving Holy Communion?

The most minimal and absolutely necessary spiritual disposition for receiving Holy Communion is to be in a state of sanctifying grace, free from mortal sin.

What are the five further spiritual dispositions to consider for a fruitful Holy Communion?

The five further spiritual dispositions are living faith in the Eucharist, humility before the Eucharist, confidence in the Eucharist, desire for the Eucharist, and reverence for the Eucharist.

How does faith in the Eucharist influence the reception of its grace?

Faith in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is most favorable for coming under the influence of the sacrament's working power, as it acknowledges that God himself comes to us in love and grace.

What is the significance of humility in receiving Holy Communion?

Humility acknowledges the undeserved great love coming to us in the sacrament, recognizing our finite nature in comparison to God, and opens the heart for His love to work wonders in our souls.

Why is confidence in the Eucharist important, and how does it relate to God's grace?

Confidence in the Eucharist is important because it consists of counting on God for good things to come. Regardless of our own preparation, our confidence should be in God, who works in our lives and sanctifies us through His grace.

What is the role of desire in approaching the Eucharist?

Desire for the Eucharist is the longing to be in the company of Jesus and to partake in His love and grace. The more our hearts burn with this desire as we approach the sacrament, the more we shall receive from His fullness of grace.

How does reverence for the Eucharist manifest itself, and why is it important?

Reverence for the Eucharist is primarily an interior act of the intellect, acknowledging the greatness and majesty of God. It spontaneously shows itself in physical signs and gestures, such as dressing well for Mass, proper posture, making the sign of the cross, genuflecting before the Tabernacle, and receiving Holy Communion on the tongue, which expresses a special reverence and prepares a person for a particular receptivity to grace.