In his book, The Mass: The Presence of the Sacrifice of the Cross, Charles Cardinal Journet provides a following insight into the question: What are the ways of communicating the Eucharist?
“As to its use our Fathers have rightly and wisely distinguished three ways of receiving this Holy Sacrament. For they have taught that some receive it sacramentally only, as sinners; others only spiritually, namely those who eating with desire the heavenly bread set before them, by a living faith, “which worketh by charity” [Gal. 5:6], perceive its fruit and usefulness; while the third receive it both sacramentally and spiritually [can. 8]; and these are they who so prove and prepare themselves previously that “clothed with the wedding garment” [Matt. 22:11 ff.], they approach this divine table. Now as to the reception of the sacrament it has always been the custom in the Church of God for the laity to receive communion from the priests, but that the priests when celebrating should communicate themselves [can. 10]; this custom proceeding from an apostolical tradition should with reason and justice be retained” (Trent 881, Denz 1648).
1st: Sacramental only
This is the sacrilegious & deadly way of receiving the Eucharist.
The Communion of the sinner (“unworthy”), who in receiving the Body and Blood of the Lord, eats and drinks to his own condemnation (cf. 1 Cor 11:26-29). Result? Sickness and death (1 Cor 11:30-32).
2nd: Spiritual only
This is the holy but incomplete way of receiving the Eucharist.
3rd: Sacramental and spiritual
This is the full & perfect way of receiving the Eucharist.
With this in mind, considering the following text of St. Paul:
23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For all who eat and drink without discerning the body eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30 For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
“Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19 What do I imply, then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?” (1 Cor 10:18-22)
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