Eucharist.

Now as they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to the disciples. "Take it and eat" he said "this is my body." Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them. "Drink all of you from this", he said, "for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (...)" Matthew 26:26-28

I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world. John 6:51

He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him. As I, who am sent by the living Father, myself draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me. John 6:56-57

Happy the mind, blessed the soul, that deserves to receive you, her Lord and her God, and in receiving you to be filled with spiritual gladness! How great a Lord is he whom she receives, how beloved a guest; how pleasant a companion, how faithful a friend! Thomas A Kempis, Imitation of Christ, IV.3.4

I often feel God's presence after Holy Communion in a special and tangible way. I know God is in my heart. And the fact that I feel Him in my heart does not interfere with my duties. Even when I am dealing with the very important matters which require attention, I do not lose the presence of God in my soul, and I am closely united with Him. With Him I go to work, with Him I go for recreation, with Him I suffer, with Him I rejoice; I live in Him and He in me. I am never alone, because he is my constant companion. He is present to me at every moment. Our intimacy is very close, through a union of blood and of life. Faustina Kowalska, The Diary, 318.

After Holy Communion, I heard the words: I am always in your heart; not only when you receive Me in Holy Communion, but always. Faustina Kowalska, The Diary, 575.

You do not celebrate the Eucharist as you should. If you would know what grace and gifts you receive, you would prepare yourselves for it each day for an hour at least. Our Lady of Medjugorie,1985. Words from Heaven, P.55-56.

Oh, the wonder of joy! I am the food of life, and I am he who eats the food of life: I am the two in One. I am the first-born of the world of truth, born before the gods, born in the center of immortality. He who gives me is my salvation. I am the food which eats the eater of food. Taittiriya Upanishad, quoted after: Novak Philip, The World Wisdom, P.20.

It is not enough to study Christ's life with the intention of imitating - first we must receive Him; before we understand the pattern of life, we must receive Life and Being into ourselves, and He gives Himself to us in His passion and in the Blessed Sacrament, in Communion. Thomas Merton, Diaries, Vol.I, P.349.

Last update: 2002/07/31

See the related subjects: Offerings, Pilgrimage, Presence, Sacraments, Vegetarianism

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