In what way body and blood are communicated to us in this Sacrament is so great a thing that the mind of man in this life cannot comprehend it... The true body and blood of Christ are given in a heavenly and spiritual way which He knows, and which sorrowing and agitated consciences experience, and which surpasses the power of the mind of man... The whole Christ is given us in the Sacrament that we may be one flesh with Him. -- Jakob Andreae, *De Coena Domini* (cited in Krauth, *The Conservative Reformation* p. 765)
"...that we may be one flesh."
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that if a person understands the *why* of closed communion, they'll understand the importance of keeping the marriage bed pure, and that if they understand the *why* of preserving virginity until marriage, they'll better understand closed communion.
Maybe I'm off base, but the concepts seem related at least in my own brain.
The whole Christ is given us in the Sacrament that we may be one flesh with Him.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting expression, in view of the ongoing debate in some circles as to whether or not the body and blood of Christ convey to the communicant the whole Christ. I guess we know where Andreae would stand on that issue.