Lenten Homily on Preparing for the Reception of the Holy Mysteries
January 6
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
January 6
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
Behold, brethren, Great Lent has come, and you will partake of the Holy Mysteries. All this is wonderful; but here is the matter: the Apostle says, “Whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord. For he who eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s Body” (1 Cor. 11:27–29). From these words of the Apostle it is clear that one may partake worthily or unworthily. To partake worthily means to be united with Christ; to partake unworthily means to eat and drink judgment to oneself. Since, after what has been said, you have surely understood that worthy communion requires a certain preparation, let us now speak about that preparation.
In the Church’s homily “On the Baptism of the Lord,” the following is said on this subject: “Let us arise, brethren, and as if awakening from sleep, accept repentance. Let us adorn ourselves with humility; by brotherly love and hospitality let us draw near to God; through almsgiving let us become sons of God.” And then we shall worthily receive the Most Pure Body and Blood of Christ and be cleansed from our sins. The Holy Apostle said: “If anyone who is unworthy receives the Body of the Lord, he eats and drinks sin to himself, not discerning the Body of Christ.” Know that the Mystery of Holy Communion is not a simple service or prayer, but a living and sanctifying sacrifice. Before it the Cherubim and Seraphim tremble with fear, and all the bodiless Powers, not daring to gaze upon it, move in trembling awe. Therefore, let us also liken ourselves to the Heavenly Powers, and with fear and love receive the Body of the Lord, draw near to Him by good works, and receive Him into ourselves, so that He may also receive us into His boundless Kingdom.
What instruction, brethren, shall we take for ourselves from all that has been said, in order to partake worthily of the Body and Blood of the Lord? This: that when we approach Holy Communion, we must first offer sincere repentance for all the sins we have committed; further, that when approaching the great Mystery of Communion, we should carefully adorn both soul and body, so as worthily to meet the heavenly Visitor of soul and body, the Lord Jesus; and finally, that we should always remember that our soul must burn with sincere and constant love for Christ our Savior, and for His Father, and for the Holy Spirit — our God, one in essence, existing in Three Persons. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
