ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 11 v26

AS OFTEN AS WE RECEIVE, WE PROCLAIM. AMBROSE: As often as we receive, we proclaim the death of the Lord. If death, we proclaim the remission of sins. If, as often as blood is shed, it is shed for the remission of sins, I ought always to accept him, that he may always dismiss my sins. I, who always sin, should always have a remedy. THE SACRAMENTS 4.6.29.

PROCLAIMING THE LORD’S DEATH. AMBROSIASTER: Paul shows that the Lord’s Supper is not a meal in the normal sense but spiritual medicine, which purifies the recipient if he partakes of it reverently. It is the memorial of our redemption, so that mindful of our Redeemer we might follow him more closely. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

BECOMING PARTAKERS. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Proclaiming the death according to the flesh of the only begotten Son of God, that is, of Jesus Christ, and confessing his resurrection from the dead and his ascension into heaven, we celebrate the unbloody sacrifice in the churches, and we thus approach the spiritual blessings and are made holy, becoming partakers of the holy flesh and of the precious blood of Christ, the Savior of us all. LETTER 17.12.

PREPARING FOR COMMUNION 1 CORINTHIANS 11:27-34

OVERVIEW: Holy Communion becomes a punishment to those who partake unworthily. This explains why some have died. It is unlawful to approach or touch the Lord’s table with profane lusts of the body, of money, of anger or of malice (CHRYSOSTOM). We are to revere the one of whose body we have come to partake (AMBROSIASTER). We do well to avoid future judgment by judging ourselves truly (CHRYSOSTOM). Irreverent communicants are no better than unbelievers (AMBROSIASTER). One who profanes the Lord’s Supper is like a priest who pours blood out so as to make the death appear to be a trivial slaughter and not a sacrifice (CHRYSOSTOM). Our chastening before Communion is more like admonition than condemnation, more like healing than vengeance and more like correction than punishment (CHRYSOSTOM, CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA). Paul promises to give further instructions when he comes (CHRYSOSTOM, AUGUSTINE). Meanwhile they are to make their offering together (AMBROSIASTER).

1 Cor