We Are Not Redeemed On Our Terms But Only Through God’s Conditions

We Are Not Redeemed On Our Terms But Only Through God’s Conditions

Eileen Renders

   This is a topic in which there often is a misunderstanding. To be clear, allow me to expound on a couple examples of how we make mental exceptions for our sinful behavior, thereby excusing ourselves from living up to the Ten Commandments.

   Missing Mass on Sunday is often excused in one’s mind by saying; “I couldn’t get up for Mass on Sunday, I worked last night.” Young couples living together in sin is often accepted, and often parents of these young couples accept this behavior saying; “Millennials do not rush into marriage, they live together to see if they are compatible.”

   In the Gospel of John Chapter 14- verse 15; Jesus said; “If you love Me you will keep My Commandments.” It is important to remember that we are never permitted in the Catholic church, to ever accept Holy Communion, (God’s body and blood) while we have sins that have not been confessed and forgiven through the sacrament of Reconciliation.

   In the New Testament, we are told to be free of Mortal sin when receiving Communion. In the Gospel of Paul, the Apostle Paul addresses this issue in his First Letter to the Corinthians.

  In 1 Corinthians 11:27, Paul warns that; “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.”

   Participating in the sacrament of Reconciliation with a sincere heart to not sin again, we are preparing for the sacrament of Holy Communion. God does not want to remain in the heart of a sinner who shows no repentance for his/her sins. Without the sacrament of Reconciliation, we are not forgiven of our sins.

   Those individuals who after a complete examination of one’s soul are sure they have not committed any mortal sin since their last Confession may say a sincere Act of Contrition before receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Holy Communion. 

   It is a very deep mortal sin when one excuses themselves for going to the sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of Holy Communion is a grave mortal sin and one that borders on committing a sacrilege.  

   We must always understand, and agree to live our faith through God’s Commandments, and not by the way we would like it to be, in a non-committal way.