Receiving unworthily?

[Crown_of_Stars]

I understand and know that a Catholic cannot receive Communion in a state of mortal sin. If this isn’t too strange a question, I just wondered…what happens to Jesus if He is received into a soul that is unworthy? I had always wondered if He just stops being present within the bread which the person took, or if He is inside of a mortally sinful soul, suffering somehow? I had never thought to wonder until now. It may be something that just isn’t known.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

I understand and know that a Catholic cannot receive Communion in a state of mortal sin. If this isn’t too strange a question, I just wondered…what happens to Jesus if He is received into a soul that is unworthy? I had always wondered if He just stops being present within the bread which the person took, or if He is inside of a mortally sinful soul, suffering somehow? I had never thought to wonder until now. It may be something that just isn’t known.

Personally I think it’s exactly the same. Not only that, but who more than a sinner needs and is open to accept healing from the Lord.

But I’ve heard all kinds of weird stuff like if you receive unworthily you will fall down and choke for air or something – I consider that all histrionics for those who want to dramatize the dualist difference between being “worthy” and being “unworthy.”

When you think about it, the Eucharist is the most “divisive” feature we have – ok you who are worthy, line up with those who are unworthy – AND THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE – must stay away because they don’t deserve God (or apparently need Him more likely) than the rest of us do.

The hospital is a place for the sick; and yet if we are too sick the hospital won’t serve you. I’m not sure this is what Jesus was ultimately looking for when He gave Peter the power to bind and loose. Back to who is worthy and who is not, instead of we are all sinners let’s eat!

To me the criteria for mortal sin, although they make complete sense, are complicated in actual application to any given situation, and are in a way impossible for the person even doing it to completely know for sure whether he or she is guilty of one. And ask the scrupulous what is “reasonable to assume” about our prospects of burning in hell for all eternity.

St. Teresa of Avila agrees that the Catholic definition of “venial” v. “mortal” is not meaningful or useful in terms of determining worthiness to the Lord. What is important is your state of mind, not whether one particular act can be defined as “one of those really bad ones” and require a “formal release.” Kind of like if you fall and skin your knee on the playground you can say you’ll be OK but the school nurse has to release you? I don’t know.

smh

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

More to the question, I personally believe that Jesus has no concern whatsoever over whether those lined up at the table have “mortally sinned” or not. I believe He is more concerned with our state of mind at the moment we approach the table, and is ready to merge with us to “re-member” the “dismembered” Body of Christ in our minds, hearts, and bodies.

It’s like when Jesus said “let the children come to me.” Sure others are thinking “gosh those children are going to annoy Jesus,” so that’s why Jesus had to say that.

Somehow I can just as well imagine Jesus saying, “let the sinners come to Me and do not hinder them. For the kingdom of heaven is made up of repentant sinners; not a righteous man has made it thus far without this understanding.”

 

[iamcatholic100]

I understand and know that a Catholic cannot receive Communion in a state of mortal sin. If this isn’t too strange a question, I just wondered…what happens to Jesus if He is received into a soul that is unworthy? I had always wondered if He just stops being present within the bread which the person took, or if He is inside of a mortally sinful soul, suffering somehow? I had never thought to wonder until now. It may be something that just isn’t known.

I don’t know exactly what happens to Jesus when he enters into an unworthy soul. All I know is that when a person receives the body and blood of Jesus in a state of unrepentant mortal sin, the commit the sin of sacrilege and add an additional mortal sin on top of the other mortal sin or sins there have committed.

Also, here is a link to a youtube video concerning this matter.

youtube.com/watch?v=mU0XZ0g7Y8o

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

I don’t know exactly what happens to Jesus when he enters into an unworthy soul. All I know is that when a person receives the body and blood of Jesus in a state of unrepentant mortal sin, the commit the sin of sacrilege and add an additional mortal sin on top of the other mortal sin or sins there have committed.

Also, here is a link to a youtube video concerning this matter.

youtube.com/watch?v=mU0XZ0g7Y8o

Thank you. I really enjoyed that video, and watching Jimmy Akin.

MS

 

[iamcatholic100]

Thank you. I really enjoyed that video, and watching Jimmy Akin.

MS

Glad to be of help.

 

[pwlj_christ87]

my understanding is that mortal sin cuts us off from god, quenching the holy spirit in the meantime and losing friendship with jesus. this to me sounds like jesus not being present in the soul, since it is cut off, and in a lonely bad sad and depressed state, that beingsaid the holy spirit never stops working in us when we have committed mortal sin but jesus returns once weve made a perfect act of contrition and resolved to attend to him at reconciliation, it is then when he enters back into the soul.heart ofthe believer

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

the holy spirit never stops working in us when we have committed mortal sin

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

According to the Baltimore catechism one who receives communion in the state of mortal sin, receives Jesus, but not his grace, and makes himself worthy of eternal damnation.

453: *37 *Q. *Does he who goes to Communion in mortal sin receive Jesus Christ?
*A. He who goes to Communion in mortal sin receives Jesus Christ but not His grace; moreover, he commits a sacrilege and renders himself deserving of sentence of damnation

 

[Padster]

Luke 15: 2, anyone?

Best wishes,
Padster

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Luke 15: 2, anyone?

Best wishes,
Padster

 

[thistle]

I understand and know that** a Catholic cannot receive Communion in a state of mortal sin**. If this isn’t too strange a question, I just wondered…what happens to Jesus if He is received into a soul that is unworthy? I had always wondered if He just stops being present within the bread which the person took, or if He is inside of a mortally sinful soul, suffering somehow? I had never thought to wonder until now. It may be something that just isn’t known.

I would say it is not just being in a state of mortal sin that a Catholic may not receive Communion but if not properly disposed. In my view a Catholic could be in a state of grace but gets out of bed on Sunday morning in a grumpy mood, argues with his wife all the way to Mass, and is still in a bad mood at Communion time. I would say such a person is not properly disposed to receive.

 

[ready]

I read that receiving Jesus in Holy Communion unworthily is one of the worst sins that there is because by doing so we are crucifying Him all over again. He, and the whole Trinity, flees from our soul the moment we commit mortal sin, so when we receive Jesus unworthily in Holy Communion He comes corporeally into our soul and leaves the moment He is all dissolved (after about 15 min.), and then does not return spiritually until we have been absolved of our sins, or corporeally until we receive Him in Holy Communion again. This is the best of my understanding on this matter. God bless you.

 

[FaithfulKnight]

This discussion is interesting. I would like to take it to another level.
I hope this question will be received in the spirit I am offering it.
The topic has so far centered on receiving Communion with the knowledge of mortal sin on ones soul. I would ask if the celebrant were to be carrying mortal sin on his soul is the entire sacrifice of the Mass somehow invalid? Does the Consecration really take place?

 

[tweedlealice]

Hi,
The receiving child of God may not be aware of their Mortal sin state per definition.
The minute a recipient puts their foot in the aisle they are going TO Jesus and a relationship w Him. They are asking forgiveness for their sin state, what ever it is. They see their ugliness, as He would show it to them as they get near to Him. This would be my faith. He would be communicating w them in Spirit(that small still voice). By the time they are at the altar, they would be clean before the Lord. The miracle of the Eucharist is a mystery we will never understand. He will judge us but His mercy is great and it lasts forever. If someone were arrogant, which I cannot see, say a murderer, and was going forward and not repentant, I would not want to be in his shoes. I don’t know about lightening striking here but fear increasing, sweating, falling down–MAYBE, But when in that challenging, arrogant state, I don’t feel they set their feet in the church. They would tremble before the Lord’s presence outside the church. Redemption is found at the altar.
You could ask the apologist. That would be a serious answer.
God bless
May God bless your New Year
tweedlealice

 

[thistle]

This discussion is interesting. I would like to take it to another level.
I hope this question will be received in the spirit I am offering it.
The topic has so far centered on receiving Communion with the knowledge of mortal sin on ones soul. I would ask if the celebrant were to be carrying mortal sin on his soul is the entire sacrifice of the Mass somehow invalid? Does the Consecration really take place?

No it does not make the Mass invalid.
Yes the consecration still takes place.

 

[tweedlealice]

See Deo Gratias 42. I do have the Baltimore Catechism. I have the newest version Catechism. Haven’t opened it obviously. Free thinkers do exist that have some Biblical thoughts. Eternal damnation verdict for receiving God in a state of mortal sin. HMMMM. That is hard. Where is that mercy?? If that individual, at his last breath, was repentant, he is forgiven. That is the parable of the workers of the vineyard. They were all paid the same salary weather they worked from sunup to sundown. Unfair as it seems. Salvation is for all of us. There is the rich man who was sent to hell. Charles Manson goes down but I don’t know. I am an easy judge. I am glad Jesus is my attorney and covers my sins. Thank you Lord.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

See Deo Gratias 42. I do have the Baltimore Catechism. I have the newest version Catechism. Haven’t opened it obviously. Free thinkers do exist that have some Biblical thoughts. Eternal damnation verdict for receiving God in a state of mortal sin. HMMMM. That is hard. Where is that mercy?? If that individual, at his last breath, was repentant, he is forgiven. That is the parable of the workers of the vineyard. They were all paid the same salary weather they worked from sunup to sundown. Unfair as it seems. Salvation is for all of us. There is the rich man who was sent to hell. Charles Manson goes down but I don’t know. I am an easy judge. I am glad Jesus is my attorney and covers my sins. Thank you Lord.

No it does not make the Mass invalid.
Yes the consecration still takes place.

That’s bizarre. If the worst sin I can do is receive unworthily, then I would think it’s 100 times worse for a priest to confect the Eucharist unworthily.

Because when he does so, He then receives unworthily to set an example for the rest of us.

But there is one reason I can think of for making this exception: because the “institution” can never be at fault? It’s wonderful to say you will go to hell and your prayers won’t be answered, but when it comes to an evil priest, his prayers not only work change the bread and wine into the Eucharist? That’s no good then because Lord only knows how many times we’d go to Catholic Holy Communion, completely fooled into thinking we’re getting anything but bread and wine?

Essentially, is not “convenient” to the bureaucratic institution that is the RCC, to consider that an “ordained priest” did something that prevents the Eucharist from being confected because that throws a monkey wrench into the machinery? Would we have to have “truth in labeling” clauses?

“NOTICE: The host you are receiving is, as far as the Roman Catholic Church, herein referred to as “The Institution” knows, the Body and Blood of Christ. However there are variables beyond our control that may result in the handing out of bread and wine instead, due to confounding variables in the process. The Institution cannot, and will not, make any claims about the destiny of any souls outside those who have undergone the proper ordainment process. The Institution cannot be held responsible, in whole or in part, in the event that one or more souls go to hell despite its best efforts at following the rules and conditions expressed by the lawyers of the Institution.”

That just wouldn’t work, would it?

 

[tweedlealice]

Thinking about this and the priest being in a sinful state and giving communion was interesting. One must never forget the POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD OF GOD.Even yet as we are sinners saved by grace, or still being in a sin state, when the WORD is spoken over the elements it is the WORD that changes the elements, not the priest. Though, he should be Jesus’ representative and be standing in grace at this time. I think the
WORD DOES THE WORK. And as we are clearing our sin by moving our body closer to him and praying in our minds as we move forward, the Holy Spirit is performing the Transubstantiation as we amble forward. I feel peaceful w this. The priest is God’s representative but he is a sinner. Hopefully, he has performed his on confession before praying the mass.
Just a thought.
In Christ’s love
Alice

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Thinking about this and the priest being in a sinful state and giving communion was interesting. One must never forget the POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD OF GOD.Even yet as we are sinners saved by grace, or still being in a sin state, when the WORD is spoken over the elements it is the WORD that changes the elements, not the priest. Though, he should be Jesus’ representative and be standing in grace at this time. I think the
WORD DOES THE WORK. And as we are clearing our sin by moving our body closer to him and praying in our minds as we move forward, the Holy Spirit is performing the Transubstantiation as we amble forward. I feel peaceful w this. The priest is God’s representative but he is a sinner. Hopefully, he has performed his on confession before praying the mass.
Just a thought.
In Christ’s love
Alice

I like how you’ve thought this through and explained it.

Has it ever occurred to you, that as our body absorbs the Eucharist, that we actually become the Body and Blood too? At least our bodies are tabernacles once we receive, right? I’m not sure if I’m using the exact words but isn’t our main “job” for going to mass, not so much maybe to be amazed at the Transubstantiation (although it is amazing) but to “re-member” the “dis-membered” body of Christ in sharing the Eucharist? Are we not becoming members of Christ’s mystical Body?

MS