Lord, I am not worthy.

I would like to have a time machine to make some changes in how we pray at the Eucharist. I simply want to instantly create a few pauses to absorb the magnificence of what is before us.

There are special moments during Mass when I want to say, “Stop! Listen to what you are saying!” If God were suddenly to appear before you and you cried out, “Lord, I am not worthy!” (Pause here) Do you truly mean that? Not one of us feels we are truly worthy if judged by our state of grace and the way we choose to live. After a meaningful pause, we tell God, “But only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.”

When God says so, we become worthy. Our good is strengthened; we let the Holy Spirit transform our lives. In this all too brief instance, before receiving Holy Communion, are you truly present in the moment? God is there, and all is forgiven. Now, do you really feel qualified to be called worthy? We receive Jesus, and we become the bread of life.

At this very minute, we have an opportunity to fall in love with God. We open our hearts and hands to him because we are now worthy to receive the body and blood of Christ. God’s love for us is based on nothing; even when we sin, he continues to carry us, never giving up. He hears our pleas, and he says but the word rewarding us with worthiness. When we open ourselves to this state of virtue, wonderful things can happen because he loves us.

How will you prepare to receive Communion more effectively?

Let us pray:

You are my God, and I give thanks to you. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; for his kindness endures forever. Amen. (Psalm 118:28)