Worthiness to Receive Communion?

If you have ever been to anything Catholic and sacramental at all, then you have probably encountered similar language to "those disposed to receive". Without being familiar with its source, this is probably a very strange statement to make, even seemingly scandalous. However, this concept comes from St. Paul when He speaks of receiving the Lord's Body and Blood in the Mass. We know this mystery to be the sacrament of sacraments, communion with the divine, the actuator of Christian unity. From the Chruch's earliest days, we have taken gravely the problem of some living life apart from God and still presenting themselves for public sacramental unity with God.

It is true this is a sacrament for sinners. However, not a sign that sin is acceptable for the Christian life, nor encouragement for living a double life one of disunity with Christ and His Church and one repugnant to the former. If we truly believe that this is the Lord of lords and the Paschal Lamb truly present, then it is only natural that those that concretely and intentionally separate themselves from God's people and the life of grace should not receive the principle actuator of communion and grace physically without out first being spiritual ready. As St. Paul said, "Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are ill and infirm, and a considerable number are dying.” (1 Corinthians 11:27-30) Therefore, when the Chruch dictates the canons below (where it concerns sin) it is not as though it is puritanism but it is the pastoral care of the faithful (preventing scandal) and the sinner in question (preventing the harshest judgment). This is why those that publically renounce teachings of the Church, are public mortal sinners, etc. being denied communion is permitted by Canon 912 & 914. When we sin in small ways and large we proportionally choose hell, i.e. a life lived apart from God.  Mortal sins by their nature require sacramental reconciliation prior to reception of God's self. Further, in addition to spiritual preparedness, there remains logical preparedness for receiving Christ's Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, but also the actual gesture gives witness to a unity of belief within the Catholic Church and Its teachings.

In conclusion, there was only one human worthy to receive Christ's body into Her Body. Although this is true, it is also important to note there are some who are most especially not worthy. When you receive Jesus you receive Truth Itself, the Just Judge Himself, and The Lord of All-creation Himself. One must not receive Him in a state undisposed to accept Truth, Judgment, and Unity with Creation. For those who cannot receive Him, there may be "wailing and grinding of teeth" (cf. Matthew 13:42, cf. Luke 13:28). Although one may not be able to receive the sacrament physically this will not stop the faithful from asking for the spiritual graces to no less come according to one's ability to receive them. Whereas it is not canonical to unfoundedly deny someone communion, it certainly is permitted when said person is publically known to "not be permitted by law" to receive the Holy Eucharist, as was the case with Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians.

Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof

but only say the words and my soul shall be healed.

Almighty God, concealed in simple bread,

You gave love without cease not only in grace but action and as we took we left you dead.

Now, covereted at last do we receive,

Thy Holy Body and Blodd in this mystery.

Contrition I have for so great sins as mine,

I offer Thee myself also as it is just and right .

O God let me seek to receive Thy mystery as pure as possible,

as in life and death you gave yourself for me and to me showing your love to be unstoppable.

Your of confession permits me to rust in Thy Mercy,

O God, I wish I could love Thee as I ought, knowing you died for love of me, even in this mystery.

Canon Laws Concerning the Participation in the Most Holy Eucharist:

Canon 912 Any baptized person not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to holy communion.

Canon 913 §1. The administration of the Most Holy Eucharist to children requires that they have sufficient knowledge and careful preparation so that they understand the mystery of Christ according to their capacity and are able to receive the body of Christ with faith and devotion.

§2. The Most Holy Eucharist, however, can be administered to children in danger of death if they can distinguish the body of Christ from ordinary food and receive communion reverently.

Canon 914 It is primarily the duty of parents and those who take the place of parents, as well as the duty of pastors, to take care that children who have reached the use of reason are prepared properly and, after they have made sacramental confession, are refreshed with this divine food as soon as possible. It is for the pastor to exercise vigilance so that children who have not attained the use of reason or whom he judges are not sufficiently disposed do not approach holy communion.

Canon 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.

Canon 916 A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the body of the Lord without previous sacramental confession unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition which includes the resolution of confessing as soon as possible.

Canon 917 A person who has already received the Most Holy Eucharist can receive it a second time on the same day only within the eucharistic celebration in which the person participates, without prejudice to the prescript of can. 921, §2.

Canon 918 It is highly recommended that the faithful receive holy communion during the eucharistic celebration itself. It is to be administered outside the Mass, however, to those who request it for a just cause, with the liturgical rites being observed.

Canon 919 §1. A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine.

§2. A priest who celebrates the Most Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day can take something before the second or third celebration even if there is less than one hour between them.

§3. The elderly, the infirm, and those who care for them can receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have eaten something within the preceding hour.

Canon 920 §1. After being initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, each of the faithful is obliged to receive holy communion at least once a year.

§2. This precept must be fulfilled during the Easter season unless it is fulfilled for a just cause at another time during the year.

Canon 921 §1. The Christian faithful who are in danger of death from any cause are to be nourished by holy communion in the form of Viaticum.

§2. Even if they have been nourished by holy communion on the same day, however, those in danger of death are strongly urged to receive communion again.

§3. While the danger of death lasts, it is recommended that holy communion be administered often, but on separate days.

Canon 922 Holy Viaticum for the sick is not to be delayed too long; those who have the care of souls are to be zealous and vigilant that the sick are nourished by Viaticum while fully conscious.

Canon 923 The Christian faithful can participate in the eucharistic sacrifice and receive holy communion in any Catholic rite, without prejudice to the prescript of can. 844.