20 March 2008

Patristic Quote of the Day

It was fitting, therefore, for Him to be in us both divinely by the Holy Spirit, and also, so to speak, to be mingled with our bodies by His holy flesh and precious blood; which things also we possess as a life-giving Eucharist, in the form of bread and wine. For lest we should be terrified by seeing actual flesh and blood placed upon the holy tables of our churches, God, humbling Himself to our infirmities, infuses into the things set before us the power of life, and transforms them into the efficacy of His flesh, that we may have them for a life-giving participation, and that the body of Him Who is the Life may be found in us as a life-producing seed. And do not doubt that this is true, since Himself plainly says, This is My body; This is My blood; but rather receive in faith the Savior's word; for He, being Truth, cannot lie. -- St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily 142 on St. Luke

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