Sometimes I think I should not receive

[TheRealJuliane]

I’m not sure how to ask this. Sometimes before we go up to take the Eucharist, I sort of get an impression, or feel as if I should not go up to receive. I have no mortal sins, and sometimes I have already gone to Confession that day, and it doesn’t always happen. I don’t quite know what to do. If it’s God telling me not to go up, why? Am I in sin and don’t recognize it? If it’s not God, then is it Satan trying to weaken me by keeping me from receiving? Should I just ignore those impressions or feelings or even the word, “No,” if I silently ask God if I should receive?

Again, I am not knowingly in mortal sin when this happens. Thanks for any insight.

 

[ConstantineTG]

If you feel you shouldn’t receive, then don’t. Its not compulsory to receive except once a year during the Easter season.

 

[Joan1969]

I’m not sure how to ask this. Sometimes before we go up to take the Eucharist, I sort of get an impression, or feel as if I should not go up to receive. I have no mortal sins, and sometimes I have already gone to Confession that day, and it doesn’t always happen. I don’t quite know what to do. If it’s God telling me not to go up, why? Am I in sin and don’t recognize it? If it’s not God, then is it Satan trying to weaken me by keeping me from receiving? Should I just ignore those impressions or feelings or even the word, “No,” if I silently ask God if I should receive?

Again, I am not knowingly in mortal sin when this happens. Thanks for any insight.

Hi Real,

I disagree with the other poster. Unless you have an objective, known reason you should go. Subjective feelings should be ignored. The human brain can easily do all the things you describe, and trying to go along with this will only trigger obsessions.

God Bless,
Joan

 

[Kontrak]

If it’s God telling me not to go up, why? Am I in sin and don’t recognize it? If it’s not God, then is it Satan trying to weaken me by keeping me from receiving? Should I just ignore those impressions or feelings or even the word, “No,” if I silently ask God if I should receive?

Again, I am not knowingly in mortal sin when this happens. Thanks for any insight.

If you don’t know then you’re not in mortal sin. I think you should receive. Frankly, I think it is from satan or in the least its an idea he would encourage. It will make you spiritually weaker to do so. But in any case I don’t think it’s from God. Be joyful in the precious gift of Himself He is giving you and ask God to stay with you in your doubt and weakness so they won’t cause you to sin.

 

[GwenL]

I also disagree with ConstantineTG.

If you know that you are not in mortal sin, if you know that you are well disposed to receive Holy Communion, you should receive.

As St Paul says, test the spirits. What kind of spirit would be telling you to not receive, if you are in a state of grace? Hint: it’s not a spirit from God.

God is calling each of us, in a state of grace, into communion with Him.

I’ve had the same situation a few times. I’ve been to a good confession and know for sure that I am in a state of grace. I get a very strong feeling that I shouldn’t go to Mass. When I got myself to Mass, I had the same feeling that I shouldn’t go to communion. My priest said it was demonic oppression. Who else wants to keep you away from receiving our Lord?

Best case, the feeling isn’t from Satan but is just some random emotion. We don’t receive (or decide not to receive) communion based on emotions, but on a reasoned understanding of our state of grace.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I also disagree with ConstantineTG.

If you know that you are not in mortal sin, if you know that you are well disposed to receive Holy Communion, you should receive.

As St Paul says, test the spirits. What kind of spirit would be telling you to not receive, if you are in a state of grace? Hint: it’s not a spirit from God.

God is calling each of us, in a state of grace, into communion with Him.

I’ve had the same situation a few times. I’ve been to a good confession and know for sure that I am in a state of grace. I get a very strong feeling that I shouldn’t go to Mass. When I got myself to Mass, I had the same feeling that I shouldn’t go to communion. My priest said it was demonic oppression. Who else wants to keep you away from receiving our Lord?

Best case, the feeling isn’t from Satan but is just some random emotion. We don’t receive (or decide not to receive) communion based on emotions, but on a reasoned understanding of our state of grace.

Thank you, that is just what happens to me! It is rare that I am “told” not to go to Mass, but often that I “hear” in my mind that I shouldn’t go up to receive. I don’t want anyone to think that I believe I am hearing voices, but just a strong feeling that I shouldn’t go up. And then I search my mind and heart for some reason that I should not receive, but I don’t find one, so I go up and receive.

I think it is similar to when I have made a good confession, received absolution and done my penance, but I don’t “feel” as though I am forgiven, but keep repeating the grief of my sins again and again. I don’t mean that I do the sin again, but that I still think of it and wonder if I really have been forgiven. That is doubting my Lord and Savior, which means I need more faith.

You’re right - would Jesus tell me not to receive Him in the Eucharist? I think he would not. And if I start to get scruples about whether or not I have committed some mortal sin that I am not aware of, I will remind myself that unless I am aware of it, it’s not a mortal sin anyway.

Thanks to everyone, I am at more peace with this now. (And it also helps that I am going to confession a lot more often than before! Thank you Jesus for your grace through the Sacraments!!!)

 

[TheRealJuliane]

If you feel you shouldn’t receive, then don’t. Its not compulsory to receive except once a year during the Easter season.

I know it is not compulsory but I get a lot of strength from the Eucharist and I receive usually 2-3 times a week. If I have been to confession that week, I don’t get the feeling of not being worthy to receive, but if it’s been over a week, sometimes I will.

You know how we say “I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed?” Well, it started when I began to wonder if God would tell me if he DIDN’T want me to receive, and of course right after that I started feeling like I shouldn’t. Not every time, mind you, sometimes I am just praying and asking God to make me worthy to receive Him, but if I am distracted, I sort of think I shouldn’t go up. Then I sometimes think, “Should I make a sacrifice of the Eucharist, since it means so much to me?”

A lot of mental activity just before receiving! I don’t think it’s a good thing to stop myself from receiving if there is no concrete reason I shouldn’t receive.

 

[hazcompat]

I’m not sure how to ask this. Sometimes before we go up to take the Eucharist, I sort of get an impression, or feel as if I should not go up to receive. I have no mortal sins, and sometimes I have already gone to Confession that day, and it doesn’t always happen. I don’t quite know what to do. If it’s God telling me not to go up, why? Am I in sin and don’t recognize it? If it’s not God, then is it Satan trying to weaken me by keeping me from receiving? Should I just ignore those impressions or feelings or even the word, “No,” if I silently ask God if I should receive?

Again, I am not knowingly in mortal sin when this happens. Thanks for any insight.

leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imb4c01-10.html#RTFToC342
The Tenth Chapter
DO NOT LIGHTLY FOREGO HOLY COMMUNION
THE VOICE OF CHRIST
YOU must often return to the source of grace and divine mercy, to the fountain of goodness and perfect purity, if you wish to be free from passion and vice, if you desire to be made stronger and more watchful against all the temptations and deceits of the devil.
The enemy, knowing the great good and the healing power of Holy Communion, tries as much as he can by every manner and means to hinder and keep away the faithful and the devout. Indeed, there are some who suffer the worst assaults of Satan when disposing themselves to prepare for Holy Communion. As it is written in Job, this wicked spirit comes among the sons of God to trouble them by his wonted malice, to make them unduly fearful and perplexed, that thus he may lessen their devotion or attack their faith to such an extent that they perhaps either forego Communion altogether or receive with little fervor.

No attention, however, must be paid to his cunning wiles, no matter how base and horrible – all his suggestions must be cast back upon his head. The wretch is to be despised and scorned. Holy Communion must not be passed by because of any assaults from him or because of the commotion he may arouse.

Oftentimes, also, too great solicitude for devotion and anxiety about confession hinder a person. Do as wise men do. Cast off anxiety and scruple, for it impedes the grace of God and destroys devotion of the mind.

Do not remain away from Holy Communion because of a small trouble or vexation but go at once to confession and willingly forgive all others their offenses. If you have offended anyone, humbly seek pardon and God will readily forgive you.

What good is it to delay confession for a long time or to put off Holy Communion? Cleanse yourself at once, spit out the poison quickly. Make haste to apply the remedy and you will find it better than if you had waited a long time. If you put it off today because of one thing, perhaps tomorrow a greater will occur to you, and thus you will stay away from Communion for a long time and become even more unfit.

Shake off this heaviness and sloth as quickly as you can, for there is no gain in much anxiety, in enduring long hours of trouble, and in depriving yourself of the divine Mysteries because of these daily disturbances. Yes, it is very hurtful to defer Holy Communion long, for it usually brings on a lazy spiritual sleep.

How sad that some dissolute and lax persons are willing to postpone confession and likewise wish to defer Holy Communion, lest they be forced to keep a stricter watch over themselves! Alas, how little love and devotion have they who so easily put off Holy Communion!

How happy and acceptable to God is he who so lives, and keeps his conscience so pure, as to be ready and well disposed to communicate, even every day if he were permitted, and if he could do so unnoticed.

If, now and then, a man abstains by the grace of humility or for a legitimate reason, his reverence is commendable, but if laziness takes hold of him, he must arouse himself and do everything in his power, for the Lord will quicken his desire because of the good intention to which He particularly looks. When he is indeed unable to come, he will always have the good will and pious intention to communicate and thus he will not lose the fruit of the Sacrament.

Any devout person may at any hour on any day receive Christ in spiritual communion profitably and without hindrance. Yet on certain days and times appointed he ought to receive with affectionate reverence the Body of his Redeemer in this Sacrament, seeking the praise and honor of God rather than his own consolation.

For as often as he devoutly calls to mind the mystery and passion of the Incarnate Christ, and is inflamed with love for Him, he communicates mystically and is invisibly refreshed.

He who prepares himself only when festivals approach or custom demands, will often find himself unprepared. Blessed is he who offers himself a sacrifice to the Lord as often as he celebrates or communicates.

Be neither too slow nor too fast in celebrating but follow the good custom common to those among whom you are. You ought not to cause others inconvenience or trouble, but observe the accepted rule as laid down by superiors, and look to the benefit of others rather than to your own devotion or inclination.

© Copyright Leadership University. All rights reserved.
Updated: Saturday, 13-Jul-2002 08:59:42 PDT

peace

 

[TemplarJPN]

i feel this way a sometimes at mass. I personally think it is satan trying to keep me for taking our Lord in the Eucharist. Everytime you partake of the Holy Sacrafice you are killing satan more and more. Unless you are in a state of mortal sin then partake of the Eucharist.

Pax Christi,

TemplarJPN :knight2:

 

[ConstantineTG]

I know it is not compulsory but I get a lot of strength from the Eucharist and I receive usually 2-3 times a week. If I have been to confession that week, I don’t get the feeling of not being worthy to receive, but if it’s been over a week, sometimes I will.

You know how we say “I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed?” Well, it started when I began to wonder if God would tell me if he DIDN’T want me to receive, and of course right after that I started feeling like I shouldn’t. Not every time, mind you, sometimes I am just praying and asking God to make me worthy to receive Him, but if I am distracted, I sort of think I shouldn’t go up. Then I sometimes think, “Should I make a sacrifice of the Eucharist, since it means so much to me?”

A lot of mental activity just before receiving! I don’t think it’s a good thing to stop myself from receiving if there is no concrete reason I shouldn’t receive.

As much as other people disagree with me, again if you yourself think you shouldn’t be receiving, then don’t. That is as much that goes into the discernment as actual sins you have committed. If you do not desire to come into communion with Christ 100%, sin or no sin, then you shouldn’t force yourself into communion. Remember, the Sacraments are not to be forced on anyone. That is why I said that if you think you shouldn’t, then don’t.

You should do your own soul searching as to why you feel this way. People here can say many things but we really don’t know what your frame of mind actually is. There are saints who live on nothing but the Eucharist, and there are those who think they are so unworthy that they do not receive at all. Maybe read up on their lives and see why they chose to do what they do and it can help you understand what you feel, why you feel it, and what you should do about it.

 

[hazcompat]

We are all correct. Do not forgo lightly, and doubt is not an appropriate approach to the Eucharisted Lord.

BE NOT AFRAID

peace.

 

[laszlo]

Hi Real,

I disagree with the other poster. Unless you have an objective, known reason you should go. Subjective feelings should be ignored. The human brain can easily do all the things you describe, and trying to go along with this will only trigger obsessions.

God Bless,
Joan

Until the second millennium the emphasis was on Jesus words:

John 6:54 … Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.

and people received the Eucharist in every Mass except those under penitence. The Eucharist was considered spiritual food.

Slowly the Eucharist became primarily the object of adoration, and people started to receive only once a year.

Even when I was young the majority of the people felt that they are not worthy

My opinion is that both side has its reasons, but the teaching that everyone should receive in every Mass unless he/she has mortal sin, so force people to declare openly their sins is unwise, and causes more harm than benefit.

 

[puzzleannie]

I’m If it’s God telling me not to go up, why? Am I in sin and don’t recognize it? If Again, I am not knowingly in mortal sin when this happens. Thanks for any insight.

it is not necessarily God speaking in every emotional response, it may not be satan either but simply your own subjective acknowledgement that none of us worthy of this gift, but we accept it joyfully for the sake of the Giver.

 

[Joan1969]

As much as other people disagree with me, again if you yourself think you shouldn’t be receiving, then don’t. That is as much that goes into the discernment as actual sins you have committed. If you do not desire to come into communion with Christ 100%, sin or no sin, then you shouldn’t force yourself into communion. Remember, the Sacraments are not to be forced on anyone. That is why I said that if you think you shouldn’t, then don’t.

You should do your own soul searching as to why you feel this way. People here can say many things but we really don’t know what your frame of mind actually is. There are saints who live on nothing but the Eucharist, and there are those who think they are so unworthy that they do not receive at all. Maybe read up on their lives and see why they chose to do what they do and it can help you understand what you feel, why you feel it, and what you should do about it.

Hi Constantine,

I’m going to disagree again, because Julienne has no reasons, but only feelings. If we submit to such subjective feelings, they will start to rule us. That could be very bad for the mental health.

It’s not a matter of force; it’s a matter of saying “no” to thoughts that could become obessive if humored or permitted to result in action.

God Bless,
Joan

 

[Joan1969]

Until the second millennium the emphasis was on Jesus words:

John 6:54 … Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.

and people received the Eucharist in every Mass except those under penitence. The Eucharist was considered spiritual food.

Slowly the Eucharist became primarily the object of adoration, and people started to receive only once a year.

Even when I was young the majority of the people felt that they are not worthy

My opinion is that both side has its reasons, but the teaching that everyone should receive in every Mass unless he/she has mortal sin, so force people to declare openly their sins is unwise, and causes more harm than benefit.

Hi Lazlo,

I see the point about pressuring people to go up, and actually made a very similar point myself in a different thread. I wish they would bring back a longer fast so that the pressure on people is alleviated (maybe the person forgoing Communion just had breakfast). But heeding feelings or internal voices like those the OP described is risky at best.

God Bless,
Joan

 

[ProVobis]

I see the point about pressuring people to go up, and actually made a very similar point myself in a different thread. I wish they would bring back a longer fast so that the pressure on people is alleviated (maybe the person forgoing Communion just had breakfast).

Good suggestion, in my opinion, if for no other reason, it may make you/us feel as if we earned something monumental.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Hi Constantine,

I’m going to disagree again, because Julienne has no reasons, but only feelings. If we submit to such subjective feelings, they will start to rule us. That could be very bad for the mental health.

**It’s not a matter of force; it’s a matter of saying “no” to thoughts that could become obessive if humored or permitted to result in action.
**
God Bless,
Joan

I think it could be like an obsession, and if I don’t receive even if I know that I am in a state of grace, then it becomes a worm-hole that my mind can fall into…thinking of any sins I might have committed and maybe I shouldn’t receive because of that…If I didn’t receive when I was in a state of grace, then what about when I have venial sins? Do you see what I mean by obsessing?

Since it began after we had said, “I am not worth to receive you, BUT ONLY SAY THE WORD and I shall be healed,” and in my head I waited for a word, and got “No.” But I don’t think that was God. In fact I have never heard “Yes, my dear child, go and receive Me.” Only, “No.” So that is why I doubt if it is God. He would not deny me if I was worthy.

 

[ProVobis]

Since it began after we had said, “I am not worth to receive you, BUT ONLY SAY THE WORD and I shall be healed,” and in my head I waited for a word, and got “No.” But I don’t think that was God. In fact I have never heard “Yes, my dear child, go and receive Me.” Only, “No.” So that is why I doubt if it is God. He would not deny me if I was worthy.

I never thought of that. I guess we all presume He has said the word but (as you say) that’s not necessarily true.