Avondmaal van de Heer, onwaardig deelnemen
Laat daarom iedereen zichzelf eerst toetsen voordat hij van het brood eet en uit de beker drinkt, want wie eet en drinkt maar niet beseft dat het om het lichaam van de Heer gaat, roept zijn veroordeling af over zichzelf. Daarom zijn er onder u veel zwakke en zieke mensen en zijn er al velen onder u gestorven. 1 Kor. 11:28, 30.
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Writing to the Corinthians, who had various sicknesses, the apostle says, “For this reason, many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.” In these words, hear him knitting a band and pleating it with different types of sin. In his analogy, the first group are “weak.” However, others are “sickly,” which is more serious than the “weak.” Finally, others “sleep,” in comparison to the first two. . . . Those who “sleep” are the ones who are not taking notice and watching with their souls, as they should be doing. Rather, they . . . are drowsy in their reflections.
Origen (c. 245, E), 9.430.
That which is sanctified through the word of God and by prayer does not (by its own nature) sanctify the one who uses it. Otherwise, it would sanctify even him who eats unworthily of the bread of the Lord. In that case, no one on account of this food would become weak, sickly, or asleep. . . . Accordingly, in the case of the bread of the Lord, there is an advantage to him who uses it only when he partakes of the bread with undefiled mind and pure conscience. Origen (c. 245, E), 9.443.
Those presbyters, contrary to the Gospel law, . . . before penitence was fulfilled . . . dare to offer on their behalf and to give them the Eucharist. That is, they dare to profane the sacred body of the Lord. However, it is written, “Whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.291.
What a crime is theirs who rashly seize communion and touch the body and blood of the Lord . . . even though their foulness is not washed away by the laver of the church. For it is written, “Whoever eats the bread or drinksthe cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” Cyprian (c. 250, W), 5.395.