A serious question on receiving Communion

[Aeden]

Ok, this is a very serious question I have about Easter communion. I was not able to make confession before Easter and was in a state of mortal sin. In the end, I did not receive communion. Here’s my question: was it a worse sin to not receive during Easter or to receive during Easter in a state of mortal sin?

 

[marty1818]

It is a mortal sin to receive the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin so it is good that you did not receive. One is only obliged to receive the Eucharist in the Easter Season which lasts until Pentecost so you still have time. Go to confession and then you can receive this season.
From the Code of Canon Law:
2042 The third precept (“You shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season”) guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord’s Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.84

 

[1ke]

Here’s my question: was it a worse sin to not receive during Easter or to receive during Easter in a state of mortal sin?

It wasn’t a sin at all to “not” receive.

You may be confused about the “Easter duty”. Catholics are to receive communion at least once during the Easter season, not necessarily on Easter Sunday. In the US, the Easter Season extends from the beginning of Lent to Pentecost.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Ok, this is a very serious question I have about Easter communion. I was not able to make confession before Easter and was in a state of mortal sin. In the end, I did not receive communion. Here’s my question: was it a worse sin to not receive during Easter or to receive during Easter in a state of mortal sin?

To receive our Lord while in the state of mortal sin would be to also commit a sacrilege. It was wise that you did not receive Him and commit further sin.

 

[SwizzleStick]

Aeden, here is a Q&A from the Ask an Apologist forum which you might find helpful.

"Is it considered scrupulous to abstain from Communion when in mortal sin?​

Hi,

Is it considered scrupulous to obstain from communion when you are aware of sin and need to go to confession? It is my understanding that it is profane to receive the Body of Christ when you are aware of mortal sin. I simply need to foster enough courage to go to confession. Thanks and god bless your ministry.

Onthefly

Re: Is it considered scrupulous to abstain from Communion when in mortal sin?​

Dear On,

We are obliged not to receive the Eucharist when in the state of mortal sin. To do so would be another sin; the sin of sacrilege. Get yourself to Confession. If you were in the danger of death, you would waste no time in availing yourself of that sacrament. The fact is, how do you know that you aren’t in the danger of death? Be prepared. Besides, the Lord diserves your contrition and repentence. He went through a lot to provide you with such an opportunity. You matter to Him. You will find such love no where esle!

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.

Is it considered scrupulous to abstain from Communion when in mortal sin?
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=64710

 

[Cristiano]

Ok, this is a very serious question I have about Easter communion. I was not able to make confession before Easter and was in a state of mortal sin. In the end, I did not receive communion. Here’s my question: was it a worse sin to not receive during Easter or to receive during Easter in a state of mortal sin?

You did the right thing! Your conscience is being formed well.

 

[IsabelG]

But I was told by a priest that even if I believed I were in the state of mortal sin, if I really WANTED to go to Confession and even TRIED to go but was unable, I could receive Communion in peace and go to Confession as soon as possible…

 

[Aeden]

My guess was that the priest said that because of perfect contrition freeing you from sin if you are literally unable to go to confession. I can’t drive yet, and my parents didn’t take me because they didn’t know I was in mortal sin. Truth be told, I haven’t received in over a year, my less than commendable thoughts keep getting in the way.

Basically, the reason he said that was probably this: if you tried to go, couldn’t go and were sorry for offending God (not because of the risk of burning) you soul freed from sin providing that you go to confession at the nearest opportunity. I’ve never felt comfortable with receiving, even if I think I have managed perfect contrition, mostly because I could be wrong and just tricking myself.

 

[Cristiano]

My guess was that the priest said that because of perfect contrition freeing you from sin if you are literally unable to go to confession. I can’t drive yet, and my parents didn’t take me because they didn’t know I was in mortal sin. Truth be told, I haven’t received in over a year, my less than commendable thoughts keep getting in the way.

Basically, the reason he said that was probably this: if you tried to go, couldn’t go and were sorry for offending God (not because of the risk of burning) you soul freed from sin providing that you go to confession at the nearest opportunity. I’ve never felt comfortable with receiving, even if I think I have managed perfect contrition, mostly because I could be wrong and just tricking myself.

The bottom line is the the Church is very clear about not receiving in a state of mortal sin. People often use the “prefect contrition” excuse to justify their actions. They start to base their religion on how they feel to avoid following what the Church teaches. That is plain and simple moral relativism. You make a very intelligent comment when you say: ** I’ve never felt comfortable with receiving, even if I think I have managed perfect contrition, mostly because I could be wrong and just tricking myself.**. You know that this kind of rationalization is of the devil.

 

[IsabelG]

I don’t believe Confession (or the inability to go) was meant to bind us in guilt like that. Our forgiveness IS paid for. I believe that it hurts Jesus more when we don’t trust in His forgiveness, in His Divine Mercy.

 

[Cristiano]

But I was told by a priest that even if I believed I were in the state of mortal sin, if I really WANTED to go to Confession and even TRIED to go but was unable, I could receive Communion in peace and go to Confession as soon as possible…

What your priest said is not always applicable. It is true only for specific cases described by the Church.

 

[Cristiano]

I don’t believe Confession (or the inability to go) was meant to bind us in guilt like that. Our forgiveness IS paid for. I believe that it hurts Jesus more when we don’t trust in His forgiveness, in His Divine Mercy.

You are mixing things that are independent. The sacrament of confession is not to bind us in guilt but to free us from guilt. Without it we cannot be freed from guilt. Our forgiveness is given offered by Jesus but if we do not accept it, through the sacrament of confession, than it means that we reject it and so we are not forgiven. Trust in Jesus is trust in His Church too, you cannot say that you trust in Him but you do not believe what He said when He gave the authority to the Church.

 

[Ophelia23]

Ok, this is a very serious question I have about Easter communion. I was not able to make confession before Easter and was in a state of mortal sin. In the end, I did not receive communion. Here’s my question: was it a worse sin to not receive during Easter or to receive during Easter in a state of mortal sin?

Blessings to you in this Easter season!

You did the right thing. By knowing you were in a state of Motal sin, you allowed your love and respect of Christ come before your need to receive the Eucharist.

 

[EasterJoy]

I don’t believe Confession (or the inability to go) was meant to bind us in guilt like that. Our forgiveness IS paid for. I believe that it hurts Jesus more when we don’t trust in His forgiveness, in His Divine Mercy.

We do not, however, want to avoid despair so ardently that we are willing to rush into presumption. The Victory of the Death and Resurrection of Our Lord has not made mortal sin or sacriledge impossible to commit, after all!

We have an ordinary means by which to be reconciled to the Lord when we have freely chosen with full knowledge committed a grave sin. The Church does not impose an unreasonable burden in guiding us to the Sacrament of Penance prior to approaching the altar for Holy Communion. Rather, it is more like a physician who forbids food for the patient with a belly wound until the wound has been repaired. The surgeon who would allow food might seem more compassionate, but that is not the case.

If it were truly impossible for a person to go to confession–for instance, if the person made a reasonable request to confess but was refused–or if the opportunites for both Mass and confession are truly rare, that is the situation you are describing. I think if it is merely that the person missed a hoped-for opportunity but can avail himself or herself of another opportunity in a matter of days, one does better to make the act of reverence to refrain from receiving Holy Communion in order to avoid sacrilege until the situation can be rectified.

 

[Aeden]

I don’t believe Confession (or the inability to go) was meant to bind us in guilt like that. Our forgiveness IS paid for. I believe that it hurts Jesus more when we don’t trust in His forgiveness, in His Divine Mercy.

You are right, we shouldn’t doubt God’s infinite mercy. But here’s the thing: it’s like medicine: you have to take it. Perfect contrition is first aid for a 9mm to the chest, confession is a trip to the hospital for said 9mm. Perfect contrition will do if you have nothing else, but you must go to confession as soon as possible and your wound must be healed by those who know how.

Otherwise, it’s like having medicine(confession) by your bed side, and not taking it because you trust your doctor (God) to heal you and keep you healthy, it is illogical.

 

[IsabelG]

I think people are misunderstanding me. I do not reject the regular means of receiving forgiveness. I am talking about when a person CANNOT make it to confession for months or more. Yes, some people have it that hard. In that case, the person has to hold on to that guilt until she can make it to Confession- who knows when that could be? If she has exhausted all means to get to Confession and cannot and a priest will not come to her…surely Jesus wants us to know we are indeed forgiven and receive the medicine as you say.

 

[IsabelG]

If Jesus is our food, surely He doesn’t want us to go THAT long without receiving Him. Going with the medicine analogy, it is best to take my thyroid medicine on an empty stomach and not to eat for another 20 mins afterward. But my doctor said that if that isn’t possible, it is better to go ahead and take the medicine with food than to go without the medicine because it is that crucial.

Understand me, I am not saying we don’t need to go to Reconciliation. I believe what Jesus and His Church say. I am talking about those who have the desire, but are not able. Please don’t tell me that there is always a way, because I am one who usually subscribes to that, but I have found that sometimes my hands are absolutely tied.

 

[SwizzleStick]

If Jesus is our food, surely He doesn’t want us to go THAT long without receiving Him. Going with the medicine analogy, it is best to take my thyroid medicine on an empty stomach and not to eat for another 20 mins afterward. But my doctor said that if that isn’t possible, it is better to go ahead and take the medicine with food than to go without the medicine because it is that crucial.

Understand me, I am not saying we don’t need to go to Reconciliation. I believe what Jesus and His Church say. I am talking about those who have the desire, but are not able. Please don’t tell me that there is always a way, because I am one who usually subscribes to that, but I have found that sometimes my hands are absolutely tied.

At the times that your hands are absolutely tied and you cannot make it to Reconciliation and you are aware that you have sinned mortally, the Church teaches that you should refrain from receiving our Lord in the Eucharist until after you are able to go to Reconciliation. To receive when you are aware that you are in a state of mortal sin is to commit a sacrilege, which is another mortal sin.