Confused about not receiving the Eucharist

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seeking_21

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I am currently in an RCIA class, and have been doing a bunch of research, but I’m still puzzled about the whole not receiving the Eucharist thing.

I’ve read many posts about people in an invalid marriage due to divorce/remarraige and being unable to receive the Eucharist. They are all naturally saddened by their predicament and speak of the hopes of an annullment so they can eventually receive the Sacrament.

My confusion concerns the state of one’s soul if for whatever reason one is unable to receive the Eucharist but continues to go to Mass. I mean, if you’re in a state of mortal sin, is there any chance for salvation? If not, then what’s the point? I know it would still be good to go and hear scripture read, etc., but if being in mortal sin means you would go to hell, then why not get out of the sin?

Perhaps I have the wrong idea about mortal sin and it’s effect on our salvation. Any clarification would be much appreciated!
 
I’m just guessing here. I think that they may be in a state of uncertainty, because they don’t know if their previous marriage was valid or not.

Their previous marriage is presumed valid until proven otherwise.

If it turns out to have been not valid, they are not necessarily in a state of mortal sin.

But I think that this would be a good question to bring up at the RCIA class, since there may be other persons who are wondering the same thing. It should be addressed by the priest.
 
“My confusion concerns the state of one’s soul if for whatever reason one is unable to receive the Eucharist but continues to go to Mass. I mean, if you’re in a state of mortal sin, is there any chance for salvation?”

If they died in a state of un-repented Mortal SIn, NO, there is no possibility of Salvation, that soul will go to Hell.

“If not, then what’s the point?”

The Church is a Church of sinners. As St Paul says if you think that you are without sin, you are a fool. Going to Mass still maintains a connection to the Body of Christ and helps draw a person to seek repentence. The Church does allow the reception of the Sacraments “in danger of death”, after Confession. The sin in “re-marriage” is Adultry. Usually a person who is seriously ill after Confessing adultry will not commit it again.

Also a person can return to the Sacraments after Confession of the adultry and seriously trying to avoid sexual temptation and re-committing the adultry.
 
Thanks for the replies thus far. I would bring this up in the RCIA class but so far it hasn’t really offered the opportunity for individual participation.

I understand that Paul says we all sin, but naturally being in the state of mortal sin is much more serious. To say that the church offers the sacraments to someone who is in danger of death makes it sound like it’s ok to live in sin as long as you confess before you die. I know this is not what you are saying, but I just don’t understand a persons willingness to continue in mortal sin and at the same time speak of such a longing for the Eucharist, which they could so easily have if they would just stop sinning. I suppose the reaction of the spouse to the alternative of living as brother and sister in the event of an invalid marriage may be a deterrant, though. But isn’t you’re own soul more important? I just don’t understand.
 
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JimG:
I’m just guessing here. I think that they may be in a state of uncertainty, because they don’t know if their previous marriage was valid or not.

Their previous marriage is presumed valid until proven otherwise.

If it turns out to have been not valid, they are not necessarily in a state of mortal sin.

But I think that this would be a good question to bring up at the RCIA class, since there may be other persons who are wondering the same thing. It should be addressed by the priest.
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Yes, by all means, ask the Priest - not the DRE.
 
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seeking_21:
Thanks for the replies thus far. I would bring this up in the RCIA class but so far it hasn’t really offered the opportunity for individual participation.

I understand that Paul says we all sin, but naturally being in the state of mortal sin is much more serious. To say that the church offers the sacraments to someone who is in danger of death makes it sound like it’s ok to live in sin as long as you confess before you die. I know this is not what you are saying, but I just don’t understand a persons willingness to continue in mortal sin and at the same time speak of such a longing for the Eucharist, which they could so easily have if they would just stop sinning. I suppose the reaction of the spouse to the alternative of living as brother and sister in the event of an invalid marriage may be a deterrant, though. But isn’t you’re own soul more important? I just don’t understand.
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Yes you are very much correct! However human beings are going to be human beings driven by human desires more than Spiritual desires most of the time.

“it’s ok to live in sin as long as you confess before you die.” I of course do not recomend this. You will never know when you may die suddenly, without the opportunity or availability of Confession.
 
“I suppose the reaction of the spouse to the alternative of living as brother and sister in the event of an invalid marriage may be a deterrant, though.”

Yes, that is what they should do. Refrain from marital relations until they determine whether or not their previous marriage was and is valid. I’m sure it doesn’t always happen, though.
 
I think the idea is that by attending mass you are not moving any further away from God and the graces/benefits of the mass may eventually give you the strength to stop living in adultery or the grace of true remorse before death.
 
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seeking_21:
My confusion concerns the state of one’s soul if for whatever reason one is unable to receive the Eucharist but continues to go to Mass. I mean, if you’re in a state of mortal sin, is there any chance for salvation? If not, then what’s the point? I know it would still be good to go and hear scripture read, etc., but if being in mortal sin means you would go to hell, then why not get out of the sin?
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There is always the chance of a change in circumstances – repentance & confession, or (not to be wished for, but entirely possible) the death of the divorced spouse, allowing the new relationship to be validated.

In the meantime, should one compound mortal sin upon mortal sin, by ignoring one’s Sunday obligation? Remember, the obligation is to attend Mass, not to receive the Eucharist.

tee
 
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