Five Tips to Prepare for THE Kiss.

By Jillian Cooke, MTh, MAPM
Fr. Kolbe Missionary of the Immaculata

The Body of Christ. Amen. In my estimation it is at this moment, as well as at the pinnacle of suffering, that we are closest to Our Lady. It is a daily moment in which we are thrown into the mystery of the Annunciation and placed in the role of the Blessed Mother. Before us stands a man (or woman), by all appearances no one special, but he holds before our eyes the Host. It looks like nothing we've seen before, but easily mistaken for a strange cracker. The man with no special appearance says "The Body of Christ."

Translation: "This is your Redeemer, Savior, Brother, Lord, Master, Teacher, Love, Creator, Sustainer, the Great I AM, the Breathe of God, Friend, Councilor, Spouse."

The reply: Amen. I believe. So be it.

The fact that we don't fall over dead is a great miracle - a testament to the infinite Humility of our God.

It all defies our original sin stained instinct. It all defies our senses. But, as St. Thomas reminds us, "when our human instincts fail," faith is enough to tell us the Truth. Our difficulty, then, is not so much in understanding this great miracle - somehow miracle seems too little a title - but in preparing ourselves way for the Marian event and nurturing this gift of faith that - I for one - take for granted far, far too often.

In no particular order:
1. Renew your consecration to Mary before Mass. Let Mary prepare you. If you don't have a consecration prayer memorized, a simple and genuine Totus Tuus, a Hail Mary... just ask her to prepare your heart for her Son!

2. Frequent Confession. I cannot emphasize the marvel of this sacrament enough. More than just a

"cleaner or stain remover," it strengthens against future sin, fortifies against temptations, assists the virtue of humility, and restores our relationship with the Lord. A most excellent preparation for receiving Our Lord, as it renders our soul more like the Immaculata's - perfect.

3. Just Be. How would you prepare for a kiss? Holy Communion is far more intimate, far more mysterious, and yet it has been called a holy kiss. I have literally no experience in this field (hah!), BUT I am quite sure that one does not prepare by giving a long, memorized monologue of affection or contrition or even praise. I am quite sure that the imperfections of one does not stand in the way of the other's love. I am quite sure that the more genuine and faithful the "better." What is a kiss worth if the life lived is not a faithful one? What power of union does it have if not intentional?

So it is with Holy Communion. Just be.... faithful, honest, pure... and your encounter with Christ in the Holy Kiss of the Eucharist will bear more fruit, more intimacy, more joy than you can scarcely (if at all) imagine!