acrament.

Obj. 5: Further, some eat and drink late at night, and possibly after
passing a sleepless night receive the sacred mysteries in the morning
when the food is not digested. But it would savor more of moderation
if a man were to eat a little in the morning and afterwards receive
this sacrament about the ninth hour, since also there is occasionally
a longer interval of time. Consequently, it seems that such taking of
food beforehand does not keep one from this sacrament.

Obj. 6: Further, there is no less reverence due to this sacrament
after receiving it, than before. But one may take food and drink
after receiving the sacrament. Therefore one may do so before
receiving it.

_On the contrary,_ Augustine says (Resp. ad Januar., Ep. liv): "It
has pleased the Holy Ghost that, out of honor for this great
sacrament, the Lord's body should enter the mouth of a Christian
before other foods."

_I answer that,_ A thing may prevent the receiving of this sacrament
in two ways: first of all in itself, like mortal sin, which is
repugnant to what is signified by this sacrament, as stated above (A.
4): secondly, on account of the Church's prohibition; and thus a man
is prevented from taking this sacrament after receiving food or
drink, for three reasons. First, as Augustine says (Resp. ad Januar.,
Ep. liv), "out of respect for this sacrament," so that it may enter
into a mouth not yet contaminated by any food or drink. Secondly,
because of its signification, i.e. to give us to understand that
Christ, Who is the reality of this sacrament, and His charity, ought
to be first of all established in our hearts, according to Matt.
6:33: "Seek first the kingdom of God." Thirdly, on account of the
danger of vomiting and intemperance, which sometimes arise from
over-indulging in food, as the Apostle says (1 Cor. 11:21): "One,
indeed, is hungry, and another is drunk."

Nevertheless the sick are exempted from this general rule, for they
should be given Communion at once, even after food, should there be
any doubt as to their danger, lest they die without Communion,
because necessity has no law. Hence it is said in the Canon de
Consecratione: "Let the priest at once take Communion to the sick
person, lest he die without Communion."

Reply Obj. 1: As Augustine says in the same book, "the fact that our
Lord gave this sacrament after taking food is no reason why the
brethren should assemble after dinner or supper in order to partake