Who, then, receives such a sacrament in a worthy way?
Of course, fasting and other physical preparations are excellent disciplines for the body. But anyone who believes these words, "Given for you," and "Shed for you to forgive sins," is really worthy and well prepared. But whoever doubts or does not believe these words is not worthy and is unprepared, because the words, "for you" demand a heart that fully believes.
How can physical eating and drinking do such great things?
Of course, eating and drinking do not do these things. These words, written
here, do them: "given for you" and "shed for you to forgive sins." These
words, along with physical eating and drinking are the important part of the
sacrament. Anyone who believes these words has what they say and what they
record, namely, the forgiveness of sins.
Prayer
God of all truth, your great joy is showing mercy. Help us to be humble in your presence as admit that we need communion because our great need. Help us to be real. For the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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And it is true that “outward preparations” are excellent disciplines, but Luther is echoing Paul’s concern directed toward the Colossians, who were ready to run after this or that latest spiritual/religious fad. Paul wrote (and I am quoting now from the CEV): “Obeying these rules may seem to be the smart thing to do. They appear to make you love God more and to be very humble and to have control over your body. But they don’t really have any power over our desires.” (my added emphasis).
The Catechism, everywhere, but especially now in this central act of faith, receiving and preparing to receive Holy Communion, urges upon us complete honesty. This is not about our piety, our performance, our correct liturgical celebrations, our appearance of being good decent folks, but is only and solely about the reality that we are sinners in need of a merciful God. Or, that we are lost, and need a Good Shepherd to find us. Or, that we are sick unto death and need the Great Physician to heal us. Or, that we feel utterly alone and forsaken in this world and a Savior who will welcome us, show our place at the table of grace and help us feel that we, at last, belong. All this, and more is in the simple “for you.” Let us not at communion be hypocrites!
And most of all, what’s in there is God, totally and completely “for you.” But there needs to be a real you there at the table. No pretending in the Kingdom of God, please. Those who are worthy are those who know they’re not.