"Instead, in keeping with a programmatic decision to avoid what they considered “difficult” biblical texts,[5] the revised Lectionary altogether omits 1 Corinthians 11:27–29. St. Paul’s “stern warning” against receiving the Body and Blood of the Lord unworthily, that is, unto one’s damnation, has not been read at any Ordinary Form Mass for almost half a century".
A topical article in light of the ongoing shenanigans surrounding the question of Holy Communion for the divorced and civilly remarried. Could it be that the current confusion and scandal surrounding this issue is a direct consequence of the Church's 50-year reluctance to proclaim Scripture passages (e.g. 1Corinthians 11:27-29) which it finds harsh and inconvenient?
+1
The early church had a much more difficult task to agree on: Should someone who denied the faith to avoid death be allowed back in after the risk has passed?
Many making that decision had lost family members who had not denied the faith. But somehow the early church found the grace for forgiveness. Can a sin block us for the Covenant of the Eucharist forever?
That is the question - and it deserves serious discussion.
> “In the Church today, many seem to be wholly unaware of the terrifying consequences of approaching the sacred banquet without being in a state of grace, that is to say, receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin. Such a communion not only does not and cannot help us, it heaps punishment upon our souls and makes our state worse than it was before.”
I am thankful for the great insight of the author in expressing this. Those who are blessed with growing wisdom will see the truth in these words. Communion is a focus on one’s own soul that begins before participating in the Eucharist, so that one approaches the Eucharist “in a state of grace” as the author makes so clear.
Thank you for posting this.
Who is worthy of grace?
I know people who are on the opposite pole, the worthy people. What will happen to them? They will be hurt by the words of AE, and confused too. For example...
Living in a Josephite marriage (”brother and sister”) is not the terrible emotional and physical burden the pope seems to imagine. I’ve known several couples over the years who have done this due to irregularities in marriages.
One couple was pretty young, and loved by everyone for their peaceful and gracious way of behaving. They both died suddenly and tragically, surely in a state of grace.
Another couple was living chastely together, civilly married, but not sacramentally, for years, due to her divorce. When they were about 60 years old, her former spouse died and they were married quietly in the Church by the parish priest. A honeymoon at that age, well, I bet they loved it.
And interestingly, while they were living without sexual relations, they also had a glow and calmness that is exactly the opposite of what we are told is the result of being “frustrated.” Maybe grace is more helpful than physical or mental supports?
There are many faithful and honest people in awkward situations, trying to live by the highest principles, and succeeding! When the pope holds that up as some neurotic and unnecessary goal, those people will give up and LOSE the special grace they were receiving.