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Receiving Holy Communion is not a “prize” or a “participation trophy.”

Many Catholic churches set aside one of the Sundays during the Easter season for First Holy Communion.   It is a great occasion for a parish to celebrate as one community of believers.  With this in mind, I thought I would share a little catechism on the sacrament.

The word “Communion” comes from the Latin communio, which means “to be in union with.” According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), the Church refers to the Eucharist by this name “because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body” (CCC 1331).

The Church teaches that anyone who receives Jesus in the Eucharist also receives “the pledge of glory with him” (CCC 1419). The Catechism continues stating, “Participation in the Holy Sacrifice (Eucharist) identifies us with His Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life, and unites us even now to the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints.”

The Church also teaches that receiving the Eucharist “increases the communicant’s union with the Lord, forgives his venial sins, and preserves him from grave sins.” (CCC 1416)

Receiving the Eucharist can transform one’s spiritual life. That’s why Pope Francis said in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, the Eucharist “is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.”

I agree with Pope Francis in that the Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, but is neither a participation trophy by simply being Catholic.  As a parent and former youth coach, I experienced various organizations that would hand out participation trophies to every youth.  While this approach is fine for pee-wee leagues as it instills a sense of belonging, it is a practice that should give way to a higher standard as the child matures. 

Receiving a trophy should acknowledge worthiness through preparation, dedication and accomplishment.  Reception of Holy Communion takes on similar characteristics.  We know that the spiritual worthiness (personal state of grace) of a seven year old is much different than that of a high school youth or seasoned grandparent.  As our Catholic faith matures, we should have a better sense of our failings and sinfulness in order to be properly disposed to receive Jesus in Holy Communion – the trophy we dearly yearn for.

Catholics receive the real presence of Christ in Holy Communion so that we may be Christ in the world.  We believe that when we consume Jesus in the Eucharist we are incorporated into Christ and become bonded to others who are also part of the Body of Christ, the Church.  May our worthy reception of the sacrament give us the grace to live our lives united to Him, serving others with humility and charity.



Author Bio:
Deacon Dan Vaughn