The need to prepare for Holy Communion

The need to prepare for Holy Communion
The Eucharist acts by itself with its sacramental power (ex-works). However, the sacraments are not magical powers. They are medicine that a living organism receives in its way of personal disposition (opus operands). They compare the guest to the sun, soul to the house. The apartment is illuminated and warmed by the sun if we open the shutters wide open and remove what would hold the rays. He who prepares for Holy Communion tries to remove what would hinder the connection with Christ. It is, of course, internal preparation. It is not enough, as St. Augustine, to prepare the mouth, but above all the heart.  The fathers talked about it, albeit occasionally.  In the 15th century, however, we read in spiritual books systematic instructions and methods on how to prepare for dinner Of the Lord (see, e.g., Following the Christ, IV, 12).

«Necessary» preparation and «desirable» preparation.
There have long been controversies over how to prepare someone
to receive the body of the Lord. This dispute came to an end with the provision of 1905. It distinguishes between two preparations: necessary and desirable. Some dispositions are required to allow admission. However, it does not follow that we should still be content with that alone, most necessary. We should strive for the best possible preparation.
The following are considered necessary: ​​a state of sanctifying grace, good faith, Eucharistic fasting. The Council of Trent refers to the words of St. Paul (1 Cor 11:28), and therefore orders that one who is aware of grievous sin does not approach St. receiving without having to do so before did not sacra mentally testify ». The custom of confession before accepting the body of the Lord penetrated vividly into the faith and traditions of the people.
However, we are right to ask today whether this is an exaggeration. Difficult sins in the true sense of the word do not occur daily nor weekly. And yet, we should go to the reception as often as possible. So it is wrong not to go to the Lord’s table at Mass only because we could not confess before.
St. Paul writes: Let a man examine himself and only then let them take the bread and drink it from the cup (1 Cor 11, 28-29). It can also hide comfort in the habit at all times to confess because such a person does not intend to think seriously about his relationship with God, he does not want to he “researched” and preferred absolution rather than magic medicine. For those who often receive regular spiritual guidance in confession is commendable. However, it cannot be praised frequent confession out of empty habit or unreasonable Anxiety. Church documents often speak of confession before communion, but it is not until the 7th century that people have rarely come to the Lord’s table. On the contrary, it is not good to discourage confession to those who have doubts. They can also accept the Eucharist because they are indeed and undoubtedly not aware of grave sin. It happens However, they often have their doubts then, so psychologically they grieve that they are losing their inner peace and security. Therefore, they are better when they confess that they say “for sure.” But let them ask the confessor not to fall into unnecessary anxiety. We are, therefore, still convinced that purification should precede the union of the soul with Christ. Confession and the Eucharist, so they have a mutual relationship; they belong to each other. This relationship, however, must not become mechanical. The best advice for daily life is the way for everyone to resolve this issue in agreement with his confessor. He who is reasonable will not exaggerate in either direction or the other.
The physical preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of the Altar is the so-called Eucharistic fast. It’s an ancient custom. Valid from midnight. Today, it is enough to be hungry one hour before communion. However, the Eucharistic fast does not interfere with drinking water or taking medication. Other regulations were applied in the Middle Ages. The couple was encouraged to exercise restraint in marital relations for several days before admission. Here and there, a few days of fasting and silence were required.