Why must we be in a state of grace to receive the Eucharst?

[Gabriel_Serafin]

Unfortunately that did not teach me anything I didn’t already know regarding Penance, and the section on the Eucharist just says that one must be in a state of grace, but not why.

Well, I think a little common sense also helps, and using analogies always help to understand supernatural realities; thus Christ often used parables. So, why must one be in the state of grace? Imagine if you showed up un-bathed, un-kempt , smelly and filthy to someone’s wedding? That would be very disrespectful on your part. Christ Himself tells us that those who show up to the wedding banquet without the proper garment will be expelled:

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”–Matt. 22:11-14

 

[Bookcat]

Catechism summary:

1385 To respond to this invitation we must prepare ourselves for so great and so holy a moment. St. Paul urges us to examine our conscience: "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself."218 Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a3.htm#VI

(grave sin = mortal sin)

 

[MarcoPolo]

(grave sin = mortal sin)

Indeed, this brings me another thought on the subject. The Eucharist is also called Communion, which is participation in the one bread, and thus one body, which is the Church. A mortal sin cuts one from that communion with the Church. Thus to receive Communion while not being in communion, is a dishonest action, a lie that makes reception of the sacrament not an occasion of grace but to compound one’s sin. Thus, when in mortal sin, the soul should seek Confession and be reconciled with Christ and his Church.

 

[RedFox0456]

Indeed, this brings me another thought on the subject. The Eucharist is also called Communion, which is participation in the one bread, and thus one body, which is the Church. A mortal sin cuts one from that communion with the Church. Thus to receive Communion while not being in communion, is a dishonest action, a lie that makes reception of the sacrament not an occasion of grace but to compound one’s sin. Thus, when in mortal sin, the soul should seek Confession and be reconciled with Christ and his Church.

Oooh, that is an interesting thought.

 

[MarcoPolo]

Oooh, that is an interesting thought.

Good thread. Just adding this for info on the term Communion:What is this Sacrament Called: [CCC#1331](1331 Holy Communion, because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body.151 We also call it: the holy things (ta hagia; sancta)152 - the first meaning of the phrase “communion of saints” in the Apostles’ Creed - the bread of angels, bread from heaven, medicine of immortality,153 viaticum. . . .) Holy Communion, because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ, who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body. We also call it: the holy things (ta hagia; sancta) - the first meaning of the phrase “communion of saints” in the Apostles’ Creed - the bread of angels, bread from heaven, medicine of immortality, viaticum. . . .