Liturgical words, liturgical actions, and liturgical vision shape our understanding of the Christian faith. Lex orandi, lex credendi ... the law of prayer ("the way we worship") is the law of belief ("what we believe").
In the Byzantine Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, prior to the reception of Holy Communion, the entire assembly prayed:
I believe, O Lord and confess, that You are truly the Christ, Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the first. O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant of Your Mystical Supper, for I will not speak of this Mystery to Your enemies, nor like Judas will I give You a kiss, but like the penitent thief I confess to You:
O Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.
O Master, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.
O Holy one, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.
Here is the language of unworthiness, sin, and the need for repentance prior to Holy Communion. Here, is an explicit confession of faith, the same confession uttered by Simon Peter (Matthew 16:16), combined with Paul’s admission that he is the chief of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). After petitioning Christ for acceptance into the Mystical Supper, the faithful offer two of their own conditions for reception: “for I will not speak of this Mystery to Your enemies, nor like Judas will I give You a kiss.”
In the early Church, the Eucharistic mystery was concealed from non-Christians, and even those who were in the process of being initiated into the Faith were required to leave prior to the Liturgy of the Faithful (Holy Communion).
The faithful communicant assembly also promised not to give the Christ a kiss “like Judas,” a manifestation of Judas’ betrayal. Why does the Divine Liturgy say prior to the reception of Holy Communion ... "nor like Judas will I give you a kiss"? Judas' kiss had all the outward appearance of affection, an appearance that hid its inner reality. Whereas the kisses of the penitential woman in Luke 7:28 were those of adoration and love; the kiss of Judas was one of deceit and duplicity. The faithful are duly to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ with a lowly, penitent heart, a heart of unfeigned love and affection.
ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.
O Master, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.
O Holy one, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.
JSH+