Episode 87 -- Spiritual Combat c54.1 -- Before Receiving Communion

Are there any special tips for making a better preparation for receiving Holy Communion?

Chapter 54 of the Spiritual Combat has three sections: before Communion, at the moment of receiving, after communion. In this episode we will read Fr. Scupoli’s advice on what to do BEFORE receiving. He tells us to CLEANSE, OFFER, and MEDITATE. On the traditional feast of Corpus Christi, the Lord offers us insights for making a better preparation for the greatest gift God could give us: His Son.

We read the opening chapter on the Holy Eucharist last episode. Fr. Scupoli stressed the glorious truth about WHO is present to us in the Eucharist: Jesus Himself. His power is at work in the other sacraments, but the Most Blessed Sacrament is Christ Himself. Whether we receive Him under the appearance of bread or under the appearance of wine, we receive the WHOLE CHRIST. Under the smallest particle of the Eucharist is the BODY + BLOOD + SOUL + DIVINITY of CHRIST JESUS.

Why? He is in heaven now, risen and glorified. He can never die again. His body and soul are united. His body and blood are united. His body and blood and soul (his human nature) is united to his divinity. In the EUCHARIST, we receive Christ as HE is now in heaven. When the bread becomes His BODY, all of Christ is present. When the wine becomes his blood, all of Christ is present.

He knows it is hard for us to fight against the enemies of our SPIRITUAL PERFECTION and SALVATION. This is why he does not leave us to ourselves. HE UNITES Himself to us.