November 3, 2011 – Catechism 1122-1129

The fruits of the Sacrament depend on the disposition of those that receive them. The Sacrament has an infinite amount of Grace to give you if you are open to it. But if you are not in the correct frame of mind or have your heart in the right place, you may not receive all the Grace that is available to you. It is for this reason that some people go to receive the Eucharist and feel nothing afterwards and some can receive nothing but the Eucharist for sustenance for extended periods of time and not feel hunger. You are the gate keeper for Grace. Open the gate and it can change who you are, in fact you are suppose to be changed after receiving any of the Sacraments. (the story of the magi and the fact that they went home another way is an illustration of this. Of course they could not go back the same after encountering Christ.) But keep the gate closed and Grace will not enter and you will not change. Nothing will be forced upon you. You have all the control over the gate and whether you will open it or not.