[Mrs. Don-o]

That's right. I always point out to my RCIA students that the Holy Eucharist is the only Sacrament which comes to us not only with a blessing but with an explicit curse. Really, you dare not receive in mortal sin unless you want to get another mortal sin, the far worse one of sacrilege against the Blessed Sacrament.

I know I received unworthily in decades past, when I was in my late teens and early 20's. I have repented and may God forgive me. One of these days I've got to make a General (Lifetime) Confession.

[Steve_Seattle]

I am a lapsed Catholic, but I respect the Church’s right to insist that Catholics respect church teaching. Every Christmas, I attend church with my elderly Catholic mother, because it makes her happy for her children to be there. I do not receive communion, but my lapsed Catholic sister (a liberal), and her non-Catholic husband (also a liberal), both receive communion every year. I regard that as liberal entitlement.

[Steve_Seattle]

"I know I received unworthily in decades past, when I was in my late teens and early 20's. I have repented and may God forgive me. One of these days I've got to make a General (Lifetime) Confession."

Your comments suggest that you have already repented, and are therefore already forgiven, despite your qualms. For the very scrupulous, confession can almost be a curse, because the scrupulous can always remember something they forgot to confess, or didn't confess in the way they deem necessary. Just have confidence in the mercy of God, who wishes to condemn no one.

[pgyanke]

I always point out to my RCIA students that the Holy Eucharist is the only Sacrament which comes to us not only with a blessing but with an explicit curse.

Good for you... but you are incorrect with the "only." The word sacrament is from the Latin sacramentum which means oath-taking. In any oath there is the understanding of blessing in obedience and curse in disobedience.

How does this apply to the other sacraments? What is sin but a repudiation of our baptism and/or confirmation? What is the result of failing to receive God's Mercy in reconciliation? Can we fail to live up to our holy orders or marriage?

... You get the idea. I'm on an iPhone.

[Lee N. Field]

That's right. I always point out to my RCIA students that the Holy Eucharist is the only Sacrament which comes to us not only with a blessing but with an explicit curse.

I would argue that baptism also has a curse motif associated with it. The NT points to Noah through the flood, and Israel through the Red Sea as OT baptisms -- safe passage through the waters of judgement.

A discussion for another time.