In the beginning days of Christianity, the people would still gather in the synagogues on Saturday, the Sabbath, to listen to the reading of the Torah and the prophets.
On Sunday, the first day of the week, they would assemble at the homes of the leaders for a celebration of the Lord's Supper and to share the Gospel stories as well as any letter of instruction or other news.
Paul is telling the Corinthians that their behavior at the Sunday gathering is inappropriate.
They were not supposed to be coming for a free meal, but to break the bread and drink the cup in remembrance of Jesus' command at the Last Supper.
Many denominations have a Eucharistic service either every Sunday or once a month to remember the Last Supper, and to break the bread and drink the wine.
This service is very similar to the bread and wine that are blessed at the Friday night Shabbat services in Jewish homes and is also part of the Passover service at the Seder.
The Corinthians were abusing this practice and Paul was calling them out.
He warned those who were to blame that God would not be happy with their behavior and that if they were eating and drinking in an unworthy manner they were bringing judgment upon themselves.
I'm sure that you are offended, as I am, if someone makes a mockery of a sacred religious rite.
If we are offended, imagine God's affront at those who were making a mockery of the Lord's Supper.
May we show respect to all forms of worship and not mock them.
