A Light From the East - A Touch of Byzantine Catholicism

Often I'm met with much curiosity when I mention that I attend a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Parish. Perhaps the most common question is, "Are you under the Pope?" I always smile and say that yes, not only are we "under the Pope," but that our Divine Liturgy - our Mass - has six occasions of prayer for the Holy Father during the service!

I decided I would occasionally share some insight into the Eastern Church, but instead of a lengthy piece that might seem overwhelming to those with interest in this topic, I thought I would sprinkle in some glimpses of the Eastern Churches from time to time.

Today I wanted to share our Communion prayer that is recited just before the distribution of Holy Communion at each liturgy. This prayer spoke to me most powerfully the first time I heard and it still does when each time I recite it.

"O Lord I believe and profess, that You are truly Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal your mysteries, nor will I give You a kiss like Judas, but like the thief I confess, Remember me Lord, when you shall come into your kingdom, remember me, O Master, when you shall come into your kingdom, remember me O Holy One, when you shall come into your kingdom. May the partaking of these Holy Mysteries be not for my judgment or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body.

O Lord I also believe and confess, that this, which I am about to receive, is truly your most precious body, and your life-giving blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting.

O God be merciful to me a sinner, O God cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me, O Lord, forgive me, for I have sinned without number."

I find this prayer to speak most directly to our need for Christ's saving grace. Especially in a era when personal sin seems to be spoken of less frequently, it is a reminder that, as the hymn says, "all peace begins with me." I think we need to be reminded that our troubled world can only really be healed from the inside out -and it truly does begin with me.

"Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Set a watch O Lord, before my mouth and a door round about my lips. Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sin." (Psalm 140: 2-4, Douay-Rheims edition)