The answer
St. John Chrysostom replies as follows:
“Not from its own nature, says he (St. Paul), but from the will of him that approaches. For as His presence, which conveyed to us those great and unutterable blessings, condemned the more them that received it not: so also the Mysteries become provisions of greater punishment to such as partake unworthily.”1529
“Because he poured it out, and makes the thing appear a slaughter and no longer a sacrifice. Much therefore as they who then pierced Him, pierced Him not that they might drink but that they might shed His blood: so likewise does he that comes for it unworthily and reaps no profit thereby.”1530
St. Augustine says, “You therefore who are the good guests at this feast do I address, who have in your minds the words, ‘For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner, eats and drinks judgement to himself’ (1 Cor. 11:29).”1531
“What is receiving unworthily? Receiving with contempt, receiving with derision.”1532
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
Notes
1529 St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on the First Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians 28.2 (NPNF I/12:164) amended.
1530 St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on the First Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians 27.6 (NPNF I/12:151) amended.
1531 St. Augustine of Hippo, Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament 40.1 (NPNF I/6:392) amended.
1532 St. Augustine of Hippo, The Works of St Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century: Part III— Sermons; Volume VI: Sermons 184-229Z, trans. Edmund Hill, ed. John E. Rotelle (New City Press, 1993) Sermon 227: p. 255.