I still don’t know why one would be literal and one metaphorical. What determines which is which?
Ultimately, the Church determines which is which. But, one can usually discern the difference on their own. If it’s confusing, ask the Church; don’t let the matter lead you to heresy as too many others have. Jesus spoke in parables and used many metaphors in His teachings, certainly. The metaphor of the vine ties into the Eucharist itself, because the “vine” *feeds *us. There is a major difference in the teaching of the Eucharist when you read John’s Gospel, especially. When the listeners were confused about His words, to the point of turning away from Him (John 6:66), He didn’t offer an explanation to keep them, because He had already explained Himself literally… it was not a metaphor. If you study the Greek words He used, even those words are very specific to physically eating His flesh. But, even in the synoptic Gospels, the Last Supper discourse is not a teaching about the Kingdom or how one should live in similarity to other times when He spoke metaphorically… He is making direct statements and commandments, not preaching.
As to your receiving the Eucharist unworthily, you have already received a lot of feedback regarding that. I would echo the need to confess the first sin that caused your dilemma, and the sin of receiving unworthily. It may be dangerous to accept the mindset that one may receive if they are in a state of contrition prior to receiving the Sacrement of Reconciliation, but, it may be equally dangerous to go without the Eucharist in a time of weakness. The official teaching is rather strict, and for good reason, I’m sure. It is best to be safe and seek Confession before receiving the Eucharist. But, one could eaily reason that Jesus would gladly receive you if you were truly contrite. He would probably say, “Your faith has healed you… now, go and show yourself to the priest.” His preaching did lean towards the interior and not the exterior matters of living properly… why else do you think there are so many Protestants who feel justified? I would also say, indeed, if the priest was to place the Eucharist in my mouth immediately after the words of absolution in the confessional, I’m sure my filthy mind could conjure some evil thought(s) within the one or two second delay of the host reaching my tongue that would render me (or anyone else) “unworthy” of receiving His flesh. But, again, I do feel it is best to follow the instruction of the Church, for Jesus truly gave His authority to her to administer the Sacraments to us on His behalf. True wisdom is always (mostly, at least) conservative in nature. Much of what I have said here is my opinion, not official doctrine. When I weigh my own decisions against my personal feelings and Church teaching, I always try to let Church teaching rule my judgement. Why I just told you both here, I don’t know… I just felt like I should. That could be meaningful or meaningless… you decide.
Keep visiting both Sacraments as often as you can. Peace be with you.
That’s why I did it (received it with mortal sin unconfessed) and that’s why I asked the question about the Eucharist here.I know intellectually it is the real body/blood of Christ but I want to grow in my understanding of it. This doesn’t answer your question at all but is just my explanation.