recovery,
according to Matt. 9:12: "They that are in health need not a
physician." Now they that are spiritually sick or infirm are sinners.
Therefore this sacrament can be received by them without sin.

Obj. 3: Further, this sacrament is one of our greatest gifts, since
it contains Christ. But according to Augustine (De Lib. Arb. ii), the
greatest gifts are those "which no one can abuse." Now no one sins
except by abusing something. Therefore no sinner sins by receiving
this sacrament.

Obj. 4: Further, as this sacrament is perceived by taste and touch,
so also is it by sight. Consequently, if the sinner sins by receiving
the sacrament, it seems that he would sin by beholding it, which is
manifestly untrue, since the Church exposes this sacrament to be seen
and adored by all. Therefore the sinner does not sin by eating this
sacrament.

Obj. 5: Further, it happens sometimes that the sinner is unconscious
of his sin. Yet such a one does not seem to sin by receiving the body
of Christ, for according to this all who receive it would sin, as
exposing themselves to danger, since the Apostle says (1 Cor. 4:4):
"I am not conscious to myself of anything, yet I am not hereby
justified." Therefore, the sinner, if he receive this sacrament, does
not appear to be guilty of sin.

_On the contrary,_ The Apostle says (1 Cor. 11:29): "He that eateth
and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself."
Now the gloss says on this passage: "He eats and drinks unworthily
who is in sin, or who handles it irreverently." Therefore, if anyone,
while in mortal sin, receives this sacrament, he purchases damnation,
by sinning mortally.

_I answer that,_ In this sacrament, as in the others, that which is a
sacrament is a sign of the reality of the sacrament. Now there is a
twofold reality of this sacrament, as stated above (Q. 73, A. 6): one
which is signified and contained, namely, Christ Himself; while the
other is signified but not contained, namely, Christ's mystical body,
which is the fellowship of the saints. Therefore, whoever receives
this sacrament, expresses thereby that he is made one with Christ,
and incorporated in His members; and this is done by living faith,
which no one has who is in mortal sin. And therefore it is manifest
that whoever receives this sacrament while in mortal sin, is guilty
of lying to this sacrament, and consequently of sacrilege, because he
profanes the sacrament: and therefore he sins morta