(Nineteenth Sunday of the Year (B): This homily was given on August 10, 1997 at St. Pius X Church, Westerly, R.I. by Fr. Raymond N. Suriani. Read 1 Corinthians 11: 23-34; John 6: 41-51.)

"Remote and proximate preparation for Mass."

For the many important activities of life, we need two kinds of preparation: remote and proximate. Remote preparation concerns what we need to do long before the activity; proximate preparation concerns the things we need to do right before we engage in the activity.

For example, if you needed a heart transplant, I’m sure that you would want a doctor who was well prepared to do that type of surgery. But in order for the doctor to be ready for such a delicate operation, he would need both remote and proximate preparation--otherwise he’d kill you for sure. His remote preparation would include his years in medical school, his time as an intern and resident, and his specialized training in cardiac surgical procedures. His proximate preparation would be his personal examination of you and his review of your medical case history.

Another example: Right now we’re in the middle of the National Football League’s pre-season. During this time, my Green Bay Packers and every other NFL team, are making remote preparation for their respective drives to the Super Bowl. Each team will make proximate preparation as they get ready for each individual game of the regular season. By the way, isn’t it great that during ordinary time every priest in the world wears Packer colors?!!! Praise God!

Anyway, this truth about remote and proximate preparation applies in a special way to the Holy Eucharist. If we want to receive Holy Communion in such a way that it bears good fruit in our lives, then we need to be properly prepared for the experience; and our preparation needs to be both remote and proximate. If it’s not, then yes, we will truly receive Jesus Christ (Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity) into our bodies, but it will not affect us in a powerful and lasting way.

So what about our remote preparation? What must we do, in other words, long before we come to Mass, in order to be more open to the Lord’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament? Well, first of all, we need to pray. If we are not praying every day; if we are not making contact with the Lord on a daily basis, then we will probably not be able to make good contact with him here. It won’t happen.

Another element of remote preparation is study: The more we understand the mysteries of our faith, like the Eucharist, the more we can actively penetrate those mysteries. Summer is traditionally a time when people read a lot; how much spiritual reading have you done this summer? have you done any?

Another important element of remote preparation is an examination of conscience. In fact, this is absolutely essential. St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11: "A man should examine himself first; only then should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup. He who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks a judgment on himself." In practical terms this means that if we have (for example) missed Mass on a Sunday or holyday without good reason; if we have engaged in illicit sexual activity either with ourselves or someone else; if we are harboring deep hatred in our heart--then we should not go to Communion until after we’ve made a good Confession.

Then there are the things we need to be concerned with just before we come to communion. These are the elements of our proximate preparation:

For example, concerning Our clothing: Does our attire remind us that we are about to receive the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? Or does it remind us of something else?

Concerning Our thoughts: As we come down the aisle at Communion time, do we focus our thoughts on Jesus? Or are we thinking about what we’re planning to do after Mass? Or are we focused on the people around us?

Concerning Our actions: Do we approach the altar with hands folded? Do we make an act of reverence before we receive? Our new bishop, Bishop Mulvee, encourages people to bow as the person in front of them in the Communion line is receiving. I think that’s a great idea. If we receive in the hand, do we make a fitting throne for the Lord, and do we step to one side and consume the host reverently at the foot of the sanctuary?

Concerning Our words: When the priest or extraordinary minister says, "The Body of Christ," do we respond with a faith-filled and enthusiastic "Amen?"

Jesus says to us in today’s gospel text from John 6: "I myself am the living bread come down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread he shall live forever; the bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." Fruitful reception of the Holy Eucharist makes a big difference. According to Jesus, it not only gives us spiritual strength for this life; it also brings us one step closer to heaven. May all of us prepare properly and then receive fruitfully as often as possible.