Liturgy - Week 5: Thursday

1 Corinthians 11:28

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Fr. Tadros Malaty

Man should examine himself by himself, as no one knows the depths of man but man himself; being aware of his thoughts, intentions, and feelings; as well as his words, and his apparent and hidden behavior. Approaching the Lord’s table (the altar) is serious, being an approach to the Lord Himself, accepting unity with Him, and enjoying His body and blood. Today, man approaches the holy sacrament, for it is the season (feast like Easter or Christmas), rather than for zeal of reason. We do not care to prepare ourselves by uprooting the evil inside ourselves, and by presenting a complete repentance; but just because it is the feast, and everybody is doing it, except for St. Paul who knows only one “season” to approach the Sacrament and communion; namely, the purity of conscience.