www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Can I take the communion and confess later?

Searching East,

I agree with your example (danger of death), but I would not limit it to those circumstances alone.

Let me be clear - I am not advocating anything that is very broad in its application. The cases we are discussing are clearly extraordinary. And I do not want to argue the point of whether a person before a wedding has sufficient time to make a confession. I remember my own wedding day and how chaotic it was! (And NO, I did not need to apply this to myself!)

Just as an observation: When I visit Japan, I often find my way to Nicholai-do (the Cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Japan). It is marvellous to see the people who intend to receive the Sacred Mysteries going to confession prior to the start of Divine Liturgy. I wish we had more of this in the States!

My own spiritual practice is to confess at least 2 times a month. I try not to go longer than that, since I truly believe in the power of the Mystery of Repentance to heal spiritually. I also believe, as taught by the Fathers of the Church, that the Mystery of the Eucharist also heals from sin, but that the clear intention of the Church is to have us repent of and confess our sins (serious or not) prior to approaching. In the economy of mercy, however, there are pastoral exceptions to this rule of sacramental confession in certain "grave" circumstances (grave does not necessarily equate with danger of death) so long as one is unable to confess prior to the service, is truly repentant, resolves to confess later, etc etc. Grave reason may also include good order and charity, especially in very public circumstances where you have an active role in the services themselves (such as the wedding party example).

Of course, the danger of presumption upon God's mercy should be guarded against, and is itself potentially serious matter for confession when committed.

So I agree - this is NOT something to be taken lightly. Nor is it something to really advertise from the pulpit, IMHO. People are already reticent to make use of this great Mystery, and may look for an excuse that doesn't really fit the exception.

To the earlier point, one should always seek the guidance of a spiritual father in these matters.

Just my two cents...

In ICXC,

Gordo

Gordo:

Well put.

May I add something?

When we are baptised, we put on Christ as a garment. His grace, His life permeates us. Whe we sin, we tear the garment, we shred it, and sometimes manage to completely tear it off. We approach the Lord as the lepers--covered with the sores of rotting flesh--but fail to cry out "unclean, unclean!" because we are also blind to our own state. Sin is like leprosy, it rots the spiritual life until it can be completely destroyed. The Mystery of Confession restores us just as the Lord healed the lepers in the Scripture. He also opens our eyes to our real state by placing a godly priest beside us to be His vehicle to tell us how we ought to get ourselves back on track. How can we not be grateful for this great gift and use it as often as possible?

I take medication daily for physical infirmities? Why do we think we escape taking medication for spiritual infirmities? Or why should we?

Maybe we should retitle this thread "Should I receive the Lord naked (spiritually)?"

In Christ,

BOB

I'd say discuss this with your parish priest/spiritual father, and know what the Church teaches on this (the Church teaches about these things for good reason).

The only other thing I'd add is this little excerpt from the prayer by St. Symeon the New Theologian. I'd be very sure I can say this in the best of conscience.

And, O god of all, forgive me
All the sins I have committed.
So that with a cleansed and pure heart,
And a mind with fear atremble,
And a soul contrite and lowly,
I may draw night to partake of
Thine all-pure and spotless Myst�ries,
Whereby all who eat and drink Thee
With a heart sincere and guileless
Are both deified and quickened.
For Thou sayest, O my Master:
He that eateth of My Flesh and
That doth drink of My Blood also
Doth abide in Me most truly,
And in him am I found also.
Wholly true is this word spoken
By my Lord and God and Master;
For whoever doth partake of
These divine and hallowed graces
Which impart deification
Is alone, in truth, no longer,
But is with Thee, Christ, Thou True Light
of the Hallowed, Triple Daystar,
Which illumineth the whole world.
Lest, then, I remain alone now
And apart from Thee, Life-giver,
O my Breath, my Life, my Gladness,
The entire world�s Salvation,
For this cause do I approach Thee
With a soul contrite and tearful.
O Thou Ransom of my failings,
I entreat Thee to receive me,
So that I may now partake of
Thy life-giving, blameless Myst�ries,
And not suffer condemnation;
That, as Thou didst say, Thou mightest
Dwell with me, who am thrice-wretched;
Lest that foul deceiver find me
All bereft of Thy divine grace,
And most guilefully seduce me,
And with scheming cunning lure me
From Thy words which make me Godlike,
Wherefore, I fall down before Thee,
And cry out to Thee with fervour:
As Thou didst receive and welcome
Both the prodigal and harlot
Who drew nigh to Thee, so likewise,
O Most Merciful, receive me,
The great profligate and sinner,
The most prodigal and vile one,
As I dare now to approach Thee
With a soul contrite and humbled.
Saviour, well I know that no one
Hath sinned as have I against Thee,
Nor hath wrought the deeds which I have.

[translation by Holy Transfiguration Monastery; the full text of this and many other excellent prayers can be found in their Prayer Book. And no I did not transcribe this]