Eucharist and Confession

[McKenzie]

I was talking with some friends this evening, and we were discussing the possibility of recieving the Blessed Sacrament without having first confessed one's (mortal) sins. Many of them think that it is totally ok to do, and even encouraged in the church now.

(A few of these friends don't believe in hell, but the very conservative one agreed that you can receive if you WANT to go to confession. They called it the "confession of desire.")

[cappie]

From the Code of Canon Law:

Can. 916 Anyone who is conscious of grave sin may not celebrate Mass or receive the Body of the Lord without previously having been to sacramental confession, unless there is a grave reason and there is no opportunity to confess; in this case the person is to remember the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, which includes the resolve to go to confession as soon as possible.

There is no such thing as "confession" of desire

[McKenzie]

That was what I was thinking, and they called he a heretic. Thanks for that reference, though!

However, most of their argument was based on Christ's having been so merciful to sinners. While this is indeed true, I would say that He didn't give them His body and blood until they were freed from sins. But I couldn't get them to understand this.

Finally, what if you try to go to confession but can't make it in time? Can you receive then? I'd say not; they would say yes, and that reference slightly acknowledges their side, in that "unless...there is no opportunity to confess."

I also, personally, don't understand how you can receive then (or if there is a "grave reason") anyway, because it is still a grace sacrilige to receive Our Lord being in a state of mortal sin. It seems contradictory, and if you can receive if you are dying or whatever, in mortal sin, why shouldn't you be confessing and why can't you do it any other time.

[thessalonian]

Your friends are winging in. Making up their own story. They need to submit to the Church and to scripture. I think this passage should about do it (along with the canon sited above).

1 Cor 11

[18] For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it,
[19] for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
[20] When you meet together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat.
[21] For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk.
[22] What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
[23]
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
[24] and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
[25] In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
[26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
[27]
[b]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. [/b][28] Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
[29] For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
[[b]30] That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. [/b]
[31] But if we judged ourselves truly, we should not be judged.
[32] But when we are judged by the Lord, we are chastened so that we may not be condemned along with the world.


They are in one heap of deception if they think they can partake and God will be merciful. We are back in judgement when we committ mortal sin. We are then participating in his crusifixion rather than reaping the benefits of it. We stand in the crowd saying "CRUCIFY HIM!" when we sin. Repentence is neccessary before we can stand amongst those who look upon him whom they have pierced. Before we can stand with those Jews whom, after the ascention were cut to the heart at what they had done and asked Peter what must we do? Read acts 2:23-40.

Contrast it with the reaction of the Jews in Acts 6, v. 8 through about 7:40 whom Stephen chastises for killing Christ. They are unrepentant and even stone stephen to death.



I find your friends attitudes and ignorance very disturbing. I fear for their souls for they presume upon God's mercy at the expense of his justice. Be a strong witness for them.

Edited September 14, 2005 by thessalonian

[jezic]

i don't think that it is good they think that way.

Did they ever explain why they thought Church teaching was currently this way?

[phatcatholic]

[quote name='thessalonian' date='Sep 14 2005, 08:09 AM']Your friends are winging in.  Making up their own story.  They need to submit to the Church and to scripture.  I think this passage should about do it (along with the canon sited above). 

1 Cor 11

[18] For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it,
[19] for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
[20] When you meet together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat.
[21] For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk.
[22] What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
[23]
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
[24] and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
[25] In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
[26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
[27]
[b]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. [/b][28] Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
[29] For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
[[b]30] That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. [/b]
[31] But if we judged ourselves truly, we should not be judged.
[32] But when we are judged by the Lord, we are chastened so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
They are in one heap of deception if they think they can partake and God will be merciful.  We are back in judgement when we committ mortal sin.  We are then participating in his crusifixion rather than reaping the benefits of it.  We stand in the crowd saying "CRUCIFY HIM!" when we sin.  Repentence is neccessary before we can stand amongst those who look upon him whom they have pierced.  Before we can stand with those Jews whom, after the ascention were cut to the heart at what they had done and asked Peter what must we do?  Read acts 2:23-40.

Contrast it with the reaction of the Jews in Acts 6, v. 8 through about 7:40 whom Stephen chastises for killing Christ.  They are unrepentant and even stone stephen to death. 



I find your friends attitudes and ignorance very disturbing.  I fear for their souls for they presume upon God's mercy at the expense of his justice.  Be a strong witness for them.
[right][snapback]722745[/snapback][/right][/quote]

oh man! powerful post thess!! i was feelin it!! PREACH IT BROTHER!!! :