contd...from Preparations for Communion...

The Eucharist is not something that should be approached lightlyor casually. When we receive the Eucharist, we are given a taste of"the life of the world to come," here and now. The Holy Fathers teach us that the frequent reception of the Body and Blood of Christ brings us into a joyful union with God. At the same time,the Eucharist can condemn us if we approach it with anything lessthan a sense of faith and hope in the Lord's love. Our preparation for the reception of the Eucharist should involve several elements which not only emphasize its importance in our spiritual lives, but its necessity in bringing about those changes which will restore the image of God within us. Recognize the Need to Change Jesus Christ offers us His Body and Blood "unto life everlasting." At the same time, He offers us"the forgiveness of our sins." Hence, our preparation for the reception of the Eucharist begins with our recognition of the need to repent, to change our lives, and to seek forgiveness for the sins and offenses we have committed against God and others. Spiritual growth is impossible without a desire to change our lives. Just as we cannot overcome a physical illness without first desiring to behealed, it is impossible to grow inour relationship with God without the healing of our spiritual afflictions. Before receiving Holy Communion, take the time to: • reflect on your life and determine the areas in need of change and healing; • examine your past thoughts and deeds, measuring them against the example set by Jesus Christ; • ask God to forgive you, to guideyou, and to reveal His will for yourlife; and • make a firm commitment to change, with God's help, those areas of your life which are inconsistent with your calling as an Orthodox Christian. The Sacrament of Confession Our Lord promises to forgive us whenever we sincerely and genuinely desire to be forgiven. Approach the Sacrament of Confession without fear or embarrassment. It is an opportunity to be reunited with God and others and the means bywhich we might be relieved of our deepest fears, hurts, and burdens. Ask God's forgiveness. Seek and accept the advice and guidance offered by your SpiritualFather, your pastor, whose love for you and concern for your salvation is a tangible sign of Our Lord's loving presence. Be at Peace with Others On this point, Our Lord is clear. In Matthew 5:23 Christ tells us that ifa wall has been built between us and someone else, we must makean attempt to be reconciled with the other person before we can offer our gift at the altar and be united to God and His People in the Eucharist. We must make an attempt to overcome those thingsthat separate us from others, for these only serve to separate us from God: "If we say that we love God and hate our brothers, we are liars, for if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses [1 John 4.-20; Matthew 6:14]. Hence, before we can receive God's forgiveness, wemust be willing to forgive others, as we pray in the Lord's Prayer:"Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." Ask forgiveness of those against whom you have sinned. Forgive those who have sinned against you. Make every attempt to heal the hurts you have caused others and to be healed of the hurts others have caused you. Pray and Meditate Prayer is more than a means of communicating with God. The ultimate goal of prayer is to consciously experience the very presence of God in our lives at all times. Before receiving Holy Communion, thoughtfully pray at least the prayers contained in thisbooklet, which place us in God's presence and enable us to approach the Eucharist with the proper spiritual attitude. You will find other prayers in the many prayer books that are readily available. Spend some time in silence, striving to hear the voice of Our Lord and to discern His presence. Read and meditate on Scriptural passages. The Old Testament books of Proverbs andPsalms contain a great deal of wisdom, as do the New Testament epistles, especially those of Saint John. The writings of the Holy Fathers and the lives of the saints also provide deep inspiration and food for thought. Participate in the Vigil Service on the Eve of the Liturgy The Vigil Service—Vespers and Matins—prepares us liturgically for the celebration of the Eucharist. After attending the VigilService, refrain from boisterous entertainments and other things which hinder a prayerful, reflective mood. It is improper to receive the Eucharist the morningafter a party which ran until the wee hours of the morning. If you must tend to a social obligation the night before the Liturgy, graciously curtail your activities ata reasonable hour to allow yourself time to prepare for the reception of the Eucharist.