As a new convert, I’ve wondered about this, as well. I understand what the rules about receiving Eucharist are. I don’t understand the why. In the Bible, I don’t see evidence that Jesus required his Disciples to be in a state of Grace prior to receiving Eucharist. There’s nothing in the Bible about the disciples going to confession and receiving absolution prior. He doesn’t seem to place any restrictions on partaking, simply “DO THIS in remembrance of Me.” I understand that I am just supposed to accept that the Church’s teaching is correct on this matter and I will not disobey the rules personally but I do wonder.
1 Corinthians 11:27-28 explains not to receive
unworthily to avoid condemnation.
Gospel of John 13:10-11:
Jesus saith to him: He that is washed, needeth not but to wash his feet, but is clean wholly. And you are clean, but not all. For he knew who he was that would betray him; therefore he said: You are not all clean.
It is the Jewish practice to be clean when offering.The apostles followed Jewish practice.
- “confess that he has sinned in that thing, and he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord for his sin which he has committed” – Leviticus 5:5
- “So the priest shall make atonement on his behalf for his sin which he has committed, and it shall be forgiven him” – Leviticus 5:10
- “When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit in unfaithfulness against the Lord, and that person is guilty, then he shall confess the sin which he has committed” – Numbers 5:6
1 Corinthians 5:6-9"Your glorying is not good. Know you not that a little leaven corrupteth the whole lump ? Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened. For Christ our pasch is sacrificed. Therefore let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
2 Corinthians 5:18:"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation . . .”
**James 5: 14-17:
**"Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another …”