Tag Archives: Eucharist

He lies in swaddling clothes, but he reigns in heaven

At the time of his birth Christ, through whom every place was created, finds no place in the inn; and he who is Lord of all the world is born as though a foreigner, to enable us to be citizens whose homeland is heaven. He is wrapped in swaddling clothes in order to restore inContinue reading “He lies in swaddling clothes, but he reigns in heaven”

The bread’s purer snow

They came over the snow to the bread’spurer snow, fumbled it in their hugehands, put their lips to itlike beasts, stared into the dark chalicewhere the wine shone, felt it sharpon their tongue, shivered as at a sinremembered, and heard love crymomentarily in their hearts’ manger. They rose and went back to their poorholdings, nakedContinue reading “The bread’s purer snow”

Lo, the full, final sacrifice

Lo, the full, final sacrificeOn which all figures fix’d their eyes,The ransom’d Isaac, and his ram;The Manna, and the Paschal lamb.Jesu Master, just and true!Our Food, and faithful Shepherd too! O let that love which thus makes theeMix with our low Mortality,Lift our lean Souls, and set us upConvictors of thine own full cup,Coheirs ofContinue reading “Lo, the full, final sacrifice”

Dom Gregory Dix on the Eucharist through the Ages

He had told His friends to do this henceforward with the new meaning ‘for the anamnesis‘ of Him, and they have done it always since. Was ever another command so obeyed? For century after century, spreading slowly to every continent and country and among every race on earth, this action has been done, in every conceivableContinue reading “Dom Gregory Dix on the Eucharist through the Ages”

Feasting on the brightness of the divine presence

In the future world there is no eating nor drinking nor propagation nor business nor jealousy nor hatred nor competition, but the righteous sit with crowns on their heads, feasting on the brightness of the divine presence, as it says, “And they beheld God, and did eat and drink.” Babylonian Talmud, Berakoth 17a

Eucharistic Hymn from the Acts of Thomas

We eat your holy bodywhich was crucified for us.We drink your holy bloodwhich was shed for us.May your body be our salvationand your blood forgive us our sins. Because for our sake you tasted gall,may the enemy’s bitterness be killed in us. Because for our sake you drank sour wine,may what is weak in usContinue reading “Eucharistic Hymn from the Acts of Thomas”

Consumerism is a restless spirit that is never content with any particular material thing. In this sense, consumerism has some affinities with Christian asceticism, which counsels a certain detachment from material things. The difference is that, in consumerism, detachment continually moves us from one product to another, whereas in Christian life, asceticism is a meansContinue reading

The Journey of the Church into the Dimension of the Kingdom

The liturgy of the Eucharist is best understood as a journey or procession. It is the journey of the Church into the dimension of the Kingdom. We use the word ‘dimension’ because it seems the best way to indicate the manner of our sacramental entrance into the risen life of Christ. Color transparencies ‘come alive’Continue reading “The Journey of the Church into the Dimension of the Kingdom”

St. Ignatius of Antioch on the Eucharist

I have no taste for the food that perishes nor for the pleasures of this life. I want the Bread of God which is the Flesh of Christ, who was the seed of David; and for drink I desire His Blood which is love that cannot be destroyed. St. Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle to theContinue reading “St. Ignatius of Antioch on the Eucharist”