Robert â a question about receiving Communio

What should a Catholic do if they have committed a mortal sin but are approaching Mass and Holy Communion?

On The Inner Life, host Deacon Patrick Conley shared a question from Robert in Montclair, California: “What about receiving the Eucharist in mortal sin?”

The answer begins with what mortal sin means. When someone knowingly and deliberately chooses grave evil contrary to Christ’s commandments, that choice ruptures his relationship with God.

Holy Communion expresses precisely the opposite. Receiving the Eucharist is a sign of communion with Christ – not only professing belief in Him, but seeking to live according to His commandments.

That is why knowingly receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin creates a serious contradiction and is, itself, another serious sin.

“If we are living in mortal sin or have committed mortal sin, we should not be presenting ourselves to Holy Communion,” guest Fr. John Paul Erickson explained. “The manner of our life has said, ‘I don’t want to be one with Jesus.’”

The Church therefore teaches that a Catholic who is conscious of having committed mortal sin ordinarily must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving Holy Communion.

Far from being merely a restriction, this teaching points toward reconciliation. If grave sin has separated us from friendship with God, Christ offers us a way home through His mercy.

As Fr. John Paul encouraged listeners, “We need to get to confession as quickly as we can so that our lives can be in conformity with the way of eternal life.”

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

What should a Catholic do if they have committed a mortal sin but are approaching Mass and Holy Communion?
On The Inner Life, host Deacon Patrick Conley shared a question from Robert in Montclair, California: &ldquo;What about receiving the Eucharist in mortal sin?&rdquo;
The answer begins with what mortal sin means. When someone knowingly and deliberately chooses grave evil contrary to Christ&rsquo;s commandments, that choice ruptures his relationship with God.
Holy Communion expresses precisely the opposite. Receiving the Eucharist is a sign of communion with Christ &ndash; not only professing belief in Him, but seeking to live according to His commandments.
That is why knowingly receiving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin creates a serious contradiction and is, itself, another serious sin.
&ldquo;If we are living in mortal sin or have committed mortal sin, we should not be presenting ourselves to Holy Communion,&rdquo; guest Fr. John Paul Erickson explained. &ldquo;The manner of our life has said, &lsquo;I don&rsquo;t want to be one with Jesus.&rsquo;&rdquo;
The Church therefore teaches that a Catholic who is conscious of having committed mortal sin ordinarily must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving Holy Communion.
Far from being merely a restriction, this teaching points toward reconciliation. If grave sin has separated us from friendship with God, Christ offers us a way home through His mercy.
As Fr. John Paul encouraged listeners, &ldquo;We need to get to confession as quickly as we can so that our lives can be in conformity with the way of eternal life.&rdquo;
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The best way to listen to the&nbsp;Best of the Week&nbsp;is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out&nbsp;<a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

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Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.