March 10, 2012 – Catechism 1382 – 1390

Here again we have the explanation of why non-Catholics cannot receive and why those that have knowledge of mortal sin they have committed should not receive.  It is a lie because you are not in communion with the Church or with God, because mortal sins separate you from God.  I just recently heard it put like this.  If you are in mortal sin, it is as if your soul has died.  The Eucharist is life giving food for the soul and feeds those souls that are in need of help and able to feed.  But a dead man does not receive any benefit from food, they are already dead.  Likewise, a soul the is dead because of mortal sin does not benefit from the Eucharist.  Only after confessing that sin and being absolved by a priest and coming back into communion with God can that nourishing food for your soul benefit you.