Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 7:51-8:21; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18
Who receives this sacrament worthily? Fasting and bodily preparation are certainly fine outward training. But that person is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: "Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." But anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, for the words "for you" require all hearts to believe. (Small Catechism, Sacrament of the Altar)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. What makes you ready and able to receive Christ's Body and Blood?
It's not your book knowledge. Just because you've studied and memorized your Catechism, that doesn't make you worthy to receive Christ's Body and Blood.
It's not what church body you belong to. Just because you might be a member of a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, doesn't make you worthy to receive this gift.
It's not because you think you are a Christian or claim to be one that makes you worthy. Lots of people say they are Christians, but that doesn't make it so.
It's not because your parents are in the church or because you wear the right clothes or because you have a good attitude or not.
No, to be a worthy recipient of Christ's Body and Blood is to think like this: “I am actually unworthy because of all my sins; I deserve no place at Christ's altar. Yet, He shed His blood on the Cross of Calvary for me and tells me to eat His Body and drink His Blood for the forgiveness of my sins.” In other words, all that makes you worthy is Jesus!
What makes you able to commune is that you are clothed with His righteousness in Holy Baptism. What makes you worthy is that your sins have been absolved by your pastor. What makes you worthy is Christ's own invitation to eat and drink for forgiveness, life and salvation. You don't come to receive this holy gift because it is owed you. You come because your Lord offers it freely as a gift to you—not because you are worthy, but because He is. And He is the One who has given and shed His Body and Blood for you. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
I come, O Savior, to Thy table, For weak and weary is my soul; Thou, Bread of Life, alone art able To satisfy and make me whole: Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood Be for my soul the highest good! (LSB 618:1)