Explaining the practice of closed Communion

For those who are Christian Orthodox or curious about the teachings of our Church, this
wonderfully written article by Mr. Jeffrey Holton provides an excellent manner on how to give that uncomfortable explanation on an uncompromisable teaching of the Church - the closed Communion (or Holy Qurbana).

For me growing up, this was uncomfortable because the teachings of Christ emphasized humility and love for all brothers and sisters. We are called to love the sinner, without accepting or tolerating the sin.

This one line from Mr. Holton's article truly resonated and put into words a thought I had been feeling for quite some time as I grow more accepting of the Church's teaching, i.e.,

"But it is the case ...that those who hunger for this feast, if they hunger for it enough, recognize the mechanism by which they may eat of it"

Ultimately, both as Christians as well as free men, we all have a choice and a path. The closed communion is not so much that our Church is excluding, but rather our obedience to the command to uphold His teachings that we truly believe have been passed to the Apostles and down to us. The doors of our Church should always remain wide open, to invite and lovingly accept everyone and guide them through the teachings that we believe are witness to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.