Chris Campbell

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Beloved in the body of Christ,

Today's Epistle reminds us of something which we often forget, that before we accept the body and blood of our Lord we must first examine ourselves.

This is important for us to remember, because it is we who Christ died for, and it is our sins that hung him on the tree.

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves.

When we examine ourselves we come to an understanding of why it is that we must feed on the flesh and blood of our Lord; we are fallen, and on our own, we cannot rise. But upon this realization, and by acknowledging our sin, we can honestly accept the grace which God is offering us in the Blessed Sacrament.

It is only then, when we are honest with ourselves and have accepted the grace of God, that the body and blood of Jesus can help strengthen our souls and drive us to become servants, worthy to live in the kingdom of God.

For those of you who do not know it, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite prayers said before the taking of communion in Mass, The Prayer of Humble Access. I welcome you to say it before you next commune, as a way of remembering to approach the Lord's Supper with honest humility and penitence.

We do not presume to come to this your table, O merciful Lord,
trusting in our own righteousness,
but in your abundant and great mercies.
We are not worthy so much as to gather up
the crumbs under your table;
but you are the same Lord
whose character is always to have mercy.
Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord,
so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ,
and to drink his blood,
that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body,
and our souls washed through his most precious blood,
and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us.  Amen.

May you live in Truth, Peace, and Love,
—Chris