7) Commits us to the poor:
The words of St. John Chrysostom shame those of us who leave the Eucharistic table without caring for Christ in the poor:
“You have tasted the Blood of the Lord, yet you do not recognize your brother,. . . .You dishonor this table when you do not judge worthy of sharing your food someone judged worthy to take part in this meal. . . . God freed you from all your sins and invited you here, but you have not become more merciful.”
8) Spiritual consolation
Holy Communion is a foretaste of the joys of heaven so it can produce joy in us as we experience real unity with God. If we are feeling beaten down by the difficulties of life, we can come to the Eucharist, our font of joy, and ask the Lord to fill us with his consolation and peace.
