The Eucharist forgives venial sins and preserves one from future grave sin.
Most Catholics, when they think about the relationship of the Eucharist to the idea of forgiveness, probably think first about the teaching of the Church that in order worthily to approach the sacramental encounter with the Lord in Holy Communion, one is to be in a state of grace. That is to say, one is not normally receive to communion if one is aware of any mortal sins on one’s conscience and, in particular, if one is currently living in an objectively sinful state....While this is certainly true and important, and is not to be overlooked, it sometimes leads people to think of communion as the reward for people who have already been forgiven and neglects the forgiveness made open and possible within the Eucharist itself. In the Eucharistic sacramental sacrifice the faithful, already united to Christ through baptism, join in offering themselves together with Christ’s one eternal offering of himself on the cross. This serves as an offering for the sins of the living as well as the faithful departed who have died in Christ. This sacrifice also provides spiritual and temporal benefits from God by drawing them closer to Christ.
As a result, communion with the Body and Blood of Christ not only increases one’s union with the Lord and one another (as the name itself indicates!) but also forgives venial sins and preserves one from future grave sin.
The Penitential Act at the beginning of Mass, no matter which of the many forms its takes, is a reminder of the mercy of God who in and through the Sacrament of the Eucharist, offers us his gift of forgiveness.
Reflection Question
How have you experienced the offer of forgiveness through participation in the celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist? What difference has it made in your life?
Scripture to Explore
John 6:22-69
Additional References
Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 1393-1395
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults pp. 224-225
Catechetical Framework for Lifelong Faith Formation G06.2.2.12, MA.2.2.25
Resource for Adult Faith Formation
Prepared for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Distributed courtesy of the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL)
© Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, 2014
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