IX About the form of the gift, by which it is given under the appearance of bread
IX
About the form of the gift, by which it is given under the appearance of bread
B. (1) Our Lord gives us His Body under the species of bread because of the fitness of bread above all other foods for this purpose. For in what other kind of food could these acts be done, both as regards ministers and receivers? This is seen in three ways.
1. The species of bread is more convenient than that of any other food with regard to our getting it, for in every place and in every time it is more easily found than any other food.
2. It is also easier to keep; and as we have to lift it up or carry it or keep it safely, this can be done more conveniently than in the species of any other food.
3. Again, it is more convenient for giving Communion, because it can be handled in a cleanly and reverent way, and can be broken on the Altar better than any other food. So it is more easily given to the healthy or the sick.
(2) Next, He gives Himself to us under the species of bread that we may have a knowledge of the thing signified and faith in it. St. Augustin says, ‘A sign is a thing besides the species which is clear to the senses, and it makes something else besides itself come to our knowledge.’ But signs are of three kinds: 1, natural; 2, artificial; 3, sacramental.
1. A natural sign has a meaning according to nature, as smoke signifies a fire, or as an evening red signifies a fine day.
2. An artificial sign has a meaning according to the intention of man; and this meaning is twofold. In one case it does not contain what it signifies, as when a hoop is the sign of a wine-seller’s shop. In the other case it does contain what it signifies, as a cloud contains showers and signifies them, or as a pasty signifies meat and contains it.
3. Sacramental signs have a meaning according to the intention of God; and this meaning also is twofold.
a. Some, as for instance the sacrifices of the law, do not contain what they signify. Thus the brazen serpent, set up in the desert, signified our Saviour, but did not contain Him; just as a hoop hung before a house signifies wine, which nevertheless it does not contain. The Paschal lamb also, and circumcision, signified the thing figured, but did not contain it, for of themselves they did not justify.
b. Others, such as the Sacraments of the Gospel, having a meaning also according to the intention of God, contain what they signify. Hugo says, ‘A Sacrament of our Lord’s is a material element instituted in some outward thing, that can be reached by the senses, by likeness representing, by institution signifying, and by sanctification containing some special grace.’ Thus Baptism signifies the purification of the soul, and contains it, for it effects what it figures, namely, the forgiveness of sin. Likewise the Sacrament of the Altar truly signifies and truly contains the Body of Christ; for, after the consecration of the bread, Christ, whole and undivided, is under the species, that is, under that sign of bread which God has instituted to signify our Lord’s Body. This bread has been made a sign by God. If, therefore, when I see a positive sign of man I believe that there is flesh under a little bread, much more when I see a positive sign of God, like the Sacrament of the Altar, I ought to believe that under the species of bread there is the true Body of our Lord, because of the likeness of the bread to the things signified.
N. For three things are there signified, of which that species of bread is the Sacrament, that is, the holy Sign, having in it an express likeness to those three things: 1, our Lord’s natural Body; 2, His mystical Body; 3, the effect of the Sacrament in the faithful soul. His natural Body is both signified and contained there, whereas His mystical Body is only signified and not contained.
1. The species of bread has a likeness to the first thing there signified, that is, to the true Body of Jesus, not by reason of itself, but by reason of the subject which it had before consecration, that is, by reason of the bread which it was before. For as bread is made of grains, many and pure, so the Body of Christ is made of many members, pure and holy. The Ark signifies the Body of Christ. This was made of incorruptible setim-wood, because the members of our Lord’s Body are most pure and free from all stain.
2. The species of bread has a likeness to the second thing signified, that is, the Church, the mystical Body of Christ, the oneness of the faithful. For as one loaf is made of many pure grains, so the unity of the Church consists in many faithful souls, free from mortal sin and bound together in the bond of charity.
R. Here we should remark that a threefold union is seen in bread, by which is signified a threefold brotherhood, or cause and bond of love, that ought to be found among the faithful. First, a, are chosen grains, large and like one another. Next, b, the flour is sprinkled with water, and dough is made. Then, c, that it may be hardened, it is baked with fire.
a. Now these like grains signify brotherhood and natural love, because we are all born of one parent, our first father, Adam.
b. Next, the dough, which is the flour mixed with water, signifies our sacramental love, because by one baptism we are all born again.
c. Then the bread hardened by fire signifies our spiritual love, because by one spirit we are gathered into one Church.
3. The species of bread, in that it once was bread, has in it a likeness to the third thing there signified, that is, the effect of the Sacrament in the faithful soul. For bread does three things: a, it strengthens; b, it satisfies; c, it preserves life. So the Bread of life does three things: a, it strengthens the faithful soul to get rid of all sin; b, it satisfies the soul, so that it despises the world; c, it keeps the soul in spiritual life, that it may always give praise to God.
The Voice of the Holy Ghost
(2) About signs; He answered and said to them, When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red. St. Matt. 16:2.
3. a. Sacraments of the law; Moses therefore made a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign, which when they that were bitten looked upon they were healed. Numb. 21:9.
Thy wrath endured not for ever; but they were troubled for a short time by Thy correction, having a sign of salvation to put them in remembrance of the commandment of Thy law. For he that turned to it was not healed by that which he saw, but by Thee, the Saviour of all. Wisd. 16:6, 7.
By the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before Him. Rom. 3:20.
b. Sacramental signs; Peter said to them, Do penance and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38.
While they were at supper Jesus took bread and blessed and broke, and gave to His disciples, and said, Take ye and eat; this is My Body. And taking the chalice He gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this is My Blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many for the remission of sins. St. Matt. 26:26–28.
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto life everlasting, which the Son of Man will give you. For Him hath God the Father sealed. St. John 6:27.
N. 1. Our Lord’s natural Body; Thou art ‘like a heap of wheat set about with lilies.’ Cantic. 7:2.
Frame an ark of setim-wood. Ex. 25:10.
Beseleel made also the ark of setim-wood. Ex. 37:1.
2. His mystical Body; R. a. Natural brotherhood; So the ten brethren of Joseph went down to buy corn in Egypt. Gen. 42:3.
Every beast loveth its like; so also every man loveth him that is nearest to him. All flesh shall consort with the like to itself, and every man shall associate himself to his like. Ecclus. 13:19, 20.
b. Sacramental brotherhood; Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened, 1 Cor. 5:7.
This commandment we have from God, that he who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John 4:21.
c. Spiritual brotherhood; They baked the meal which a little before they had brought out of Egypt in dough; and they made hearth-cakes unleavened. Ex. 12:39.
3. Effect in soul; a. It strengthens; Thou waterest the hills … that Thou mayest bring bread out of the earth … and that bread may strengthen man’s heart. Ps. 103:13–15.
I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength.… My God is my helper, and in Him will I put my trust. Ps. 17:2, 3.
b. It satisfies; He filled them with the Bread of Heaven. Ps. 104:40.
A soul that is full shall tread upon the honeycomb. Prov. 27:7.
c. It keeps us in grace; The bread of the needy is the life of the poor. Ecclus. 34:25.
I will satisfy her poor with bread. Ps. 131:15.
I will praise Thee for ever. Ps. 51:11.
Every day will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy name for ever, yea for ever and ever. Ps. 144:2.
Thanksgiving
Thou, Jesus, art the incorruptible Ark of the Covenant. By Thee and with Thee we are kept from sin and from everlasting death. I bless and praise Thee for Thine own holiness, and for the holiness Thou givest to Thy servants. Give me more love, dear Jesus, and more cleanness of heart, and bring me safely to the incorruptible kingdom where Thou dost ever dwell. There no rust consumes, and there no moth destroyeth. There all souls are bright with the fire of the love of God. Thou hast now come to me in Thy Holy Sacrament, that I may be strengthened for my journey to Thy home. Thou didst give corn to the brethren of Joseph in Egypt. Lead me into the lowest places, that by humility I may be pleasing to Thee. There, Jesus, give to me the corn of the elect, that I may praise Thee always as I am praising Thee now. Thou dost ever gird me with strength. Thou dost feed me with the Bread of Heaven, that I may feel no longing for the food of earth. I am needy; Thou, Jesus, art my bread. I am poor; Thou, Jesus, art my life. In Thy light, O Word of the Father, I shall see light. For all this I thank Thee and love Thee, and give Thee the praise of my heart.