Ok to receive the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin?

[sseason]

Hello,
When trying to explain to someone the teachings on receiving the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin, I have gotten the response that the prayer right before communion “Lord I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed”, is sufficiant to receive communion.

I have quoted the Catechism and spoke of obediance to the Churches teachings regardless of our full understanding of them, and how God should not enter an unclean body (temple) but this does not seem to help.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to respond to the direct question about the prayer before communion and why that is not sufficiant? Aside from purely obeying the Church?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

If saying that prayer were all that is necessary for receiving Holy Communion, there would be no need for the sacrament of Confession. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in # 1385: “Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to Communion.” Grave sin here means mortal sin. To receive the Eucharist in the state of mortal sin is like putting it into a filthy sewer. It is impossible to get through to someone who is in denial as this person seems to be.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.