Eucharist and state of grace

[M1986]

Why do we have to be in a state of grace in order to take the Eucharist? Weren’t the apostles all sinners at the last supper? I thought Jesus died for our sins. If I was in a state of grace what need would I have for the Eucharist?
And in all honesty, if I go to confession on a Monday, I will probably have sinned already by Sunday. When I read the examination of conscience it’s like almost anything could be considered a mortal sin! ie “do you put things or people before God? (You shall have no gods before me)” Well…I probably could have prayed a little longer last night but I wanted to get into bed. Or “Have you taken time that belonged to another? (You shall not steal)” well, I may have talked the ear off my neighbour before catching the subtle signs of his desire to get on with his day. Etc etc etc!

 

[Richca]

Why do we have to be in a state of grace in order to take the Eucharist? Weren’t the apostles all sinners at the last supper? I thought Jesus died for our sins. If I was in a state of grace what need would I have for the Eucharist?
And in all honesty, if I go to confession on a Monday, I will probably have sinned already by Sunday. When I read the examination of conscience it’s like almost anything could be considered a mortal sin! ie “do you put things or people before God? (You shall have no gods before me)” Well…I probably could have prayed a little longer last night but I wanted to get into bed. Or “Have you taken time that belonged to another? (You shall not steal)” well, I may have talked the ear off my neighbour before catching the subtle signs of his desire to get on with his day. Etc etc etc!

The eucharist is called one of the sacraments of the ‘living’, that is, one who is in a state of sanctifying grace, spiritually alive. The eucharist plays a similar role in our spiritual life as bodily food and drink plays for our natural bodily life. We need food and drink to maintain our bodily life here on earth and it does no good to give food and drink to a dead person. Similarly, the eucharist is our spiritual food and spiritual drink to maintain and grow in our spiritual life of faith, hope, and charity in our journey to heaven which is begun in baptism or again in the sacrament of penance if we have had the misfortune of losing sanctifying grace through mortal sin in which case we are spiritually dead. Also, Jesus commanded us to eat his body and drink his blood so that we may have eternal life in us.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Why do we have to be in a state of grace in order to take the Eucharist? Weren’t the apostles all sinners at the last supper? I thought Jesus died for our sins. If I was in a state of grace what need would I have for the Eucharist?
And in all honesty, if I go to confession on a Monday, I will probably have sinned already by Sunday. When I read the examination of conscience it’s like almost anything could be considered a mortal sin! ie “do you put things or people before God? (You shall have no gods before me)” Well…I probably could have prayed a little longer last night but I wanted to get into bed. Or “Have you taken time that belonged to another? (You shall not steal)” well, I may have talked the ear off my neighbour before catching the subtle signs of his desire to get on with his day. Etc etc etc!

Because nothing worth having is easily gained.

As far as what is or is not mortal sin - let your Priest decide on those issues.

We know murder, fornication, worshipping false idols, causing hurt to another, theft etc are mortal sins. But other stuff? Priests study Theology to determine stuff like this and their expertise is free!

 

[peter26]

If you have to ask this question, I think you should read this reflection. It used to be read out in some churches to remind people to examine their conscience before receiving Communion.

Dearly beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament; (for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood; then we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us so is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily. For then we are guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ our Saviour; we eat and drink our own damnation, not considering the Lord’s Body; we kindle God’s wrath against us; we provoke him to plague us with divers diseases, and sundry kinds of death. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent you truly for your sins past; have a lively and stedfast faith in Christ our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men; so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mysteries. And above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thanks to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ, both God and man; who did humble himself, even to the death upon the Cross, for us miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the shadow of death; that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life. And to the end that we should alway remember the exceeding great love of our Master and only Saviour Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding he hath obtained to us; he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death, to our great and endless comfort. To him therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, let us give (as we are most bounden) continual thanks; submitting ourselves wholly to his holy will and pleasure, and studying to serve him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen.

 

[Gertabelle]

If you have to ask this question, I think you should read this reflection. It used to be read out in some churches to remind people to examine their conscience before receiving Communion.

Dearly beloved in the Lord, ye that mind to come to the holy Communion of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ, must consider how Saint Paul exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a true penitent heart and lively faith we receive that holy Sacrament; (for then we spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood; then we dwell in Christ, and Christ in us; we are one with Christ, and Christ with us so is the danger great, if we receive the same unworthily. For then we are guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ our Saviour; we eat and drink our own damnation, not considering the Lord’s Body; we kindle God’s wrath against us; we provoke him to plague us with divers diseases, and sundry kinds of death. Judge therefore yourselves, brethren, that ye be not judged of the Lord; repent you truly for your sins past; have a lively and stedfast faith in Christ our Saviour; amend your lives, and be in perfect charity with all men; so shall ye be meet partakers of those holy mysteries. And above all things ye must give most humble and hearty thanks to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, for the redemption of the world by the death and passion of our Saviour Christ, both God and man; who did humble himself, even to the death upon the Cross, for us miserable sinners, who lay in darkness and the shadow of death; that he might make us the children of God, and exalt us to everlasting life. And to the end that we should always remember the exceeding great love of our Master and only Saviour Jesus Christ, thus dying for us, and the innumerable benefits which by his precious blood-shedding he hath obtained to us; he hath instituted and ordained holy mysteries, as pledges of his love, and for a continual remembrance of his death, to our great and endless comfort. To him therefore, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, let us give (as we are most bounden) continual thanks; submitting ourselves wholly to his holy will and pleasure, and studying to serve him in true holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. Amen.

That’s a beautiful reflection! Thank you for posting it.

As a standard by which we must judge ourselves before receiving Communion, however, not ONE of us would ever dare approach the altar!

The irony is, that those who are advanced in holiness would never judge themselves perfect enough to receive Holy Communion by the standards of that text, if taken literally.

Unless one is aware of having committed mortal sin, go to Communion at mass and receive Our Lord with humility and an open heart. (And be aware that not every sin against the Ten Commandments is grave matter.) Allow Our Lord to heal you gradually, by the grace of each and every Holy Communion received.

Be at peace.

 

[thistle]

Why do we have to be in a state of grace in order to take the Eucharist? Weren’t the apostles all sinners at the last supper? I thought Jesus died for our sins. If I was in a state of grace what need would I have for the Eucharist?
And in all honesty, if I go to confession on a Monday, I will probably have sinned already by Sunday. When I read the examination of conscience it’s like almost anything could be considered a mortal sin! ie “do you put things or people before God? (You shall have no gods before me)” Well…I probably could have prayed a little longer last night but I wanted to get into bed. Or “Have you taken time that belonged to another? (You shall not steal)” well, I may have talked the ear off my neighbour before catching the subtle signs of his desire to get on with his day. Etc etc etc!

1 Cor 11:27-29

27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord.

28 A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup.

29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.

 

[pulsence]

You seem to be miss understanding how to differentiate between mortal and venial sin. Yes we are all sinners and commit venial sins every day. That doesn’t remove us from a state of Grace. It is when we commit mortal sins that we no longer are in the state of Grace, and then the consume the Eucharist would be to eat and drink condemnation onto ourselves as another post has posted.

Most of what you posted doesn’t necessarily seem to be mortal but could be mortal given more information. I highly recommend speaking to your priest about this, and when sin like you listed become mortal. We can provide opinions but we will shortly begin to disagree in the details. So speak to a priest.