X About the form of the gift, namely, that it is given under the appearance of wheaten bread
X
About the form of the gift, namely, that it is given under the appearance of wheaten bread
C. Our Lord gives us Himself under the species of wheaten bread, and not of any other kind of bread; and He does this for three reasons.
(1) First, this kind of grain has a natural superiority over all other kinds, as may be proved by three things: 1, it is the purest; 2, it is most commonly used for bread; 3, it is most nutritious for the body.
1. This kind is the only kind that reaches perfection. Wheaten bread is bread simply and absolutely, because of its great purity and perfection.
2. The grain of wheat is most commonly used for bread, because it agrees with the whole and the sick. Nay, it best suits birds and beasts, for they eat it more readily than other kinds. Therefore wheaten bread is truly bread, because of its worth and common usefulness.
3. Grain of wheat is highly nutritious to the body, because, through its natural purity, its general usefulness, and its glutinous nature, the nourishment derived from it mingles with the members of the body in the best way. As to these three things it nourishes and strengthens in the highest degree. Thus wheaten bread is pure, and the grain of wheat is first in honour by reason of its worth and common usefulness. Again, it is fitting that the holiest body, which is the holiest bread of the sons of God, should be given to His sons under the species of that bread which is purest and best.
(2) Secondly, He gives His Body under the species of wheaten bread, because in it there is a very clear representation of the faithful. For as wheat must be considered in a threefold state, so the gathering of all the faithful is wont to be distinguished in three states. Thus, 1, wheat stands in the fields; 2, it is winnowed, and the chaff is cast away; 3, it is stored in the granaries. In like manner there are three degrees among the faithful: 1, beginners; 2, the advanced; 3, the perfect.
1. The first are signified by the wheat standing in the fields; 2, the second, by the grains as they are winnowed from the chaff; 3, the third, by the purified grains as they are stored in the garners.
1, The first seek for the teaching of preachers; 2, the second for constant purification; 3, the third for the everlasting rest of the Blessed.
St. Gregory, speaking of the words of Job, says, ‘The elect are the wheat of God to be stored in the barns of Heaven. The corn desires the clouds, for all the elect greatly long for the presence of holy preachers. The clouds scatter the light, because holy preachers give examples of life, not only in their words, but also in their deeds. They go round about everywhere, because by the light of their preaching they enlighten the ends of the earth.’
2. Gedeon working among the wheat by the winepress signifies each elect one, who, in the shadow of the holy Cross, by uprightness of judgment and confession, cleanses his heart as it were with a rod from the chaff of his sins. The consolation of God strengthens such a soul against temptations. They who fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls.
3. Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, and then you will reach your appointed place in the heavenly kingdom, and will be with all the Blessed for evermore.
(3) Thirdly, He gives us His Body under the appearance of wheaten bread, because in that bread there is an express likeness of His Body. For you can think of wheat in three ways: 1, as lying in a heap; 2, as falling in a field; 3, as made into bread. 1, It signifies the Body of Jesus conceived by the Blessed Virgin; 2, it signifies that holy Body as it suffered for us in the world; 3, it signifies His Body glorified in Heaven. 1, The Mother of Christ is greatly honoured; 2, the sinner is freed; 3, the Blessed are filled with gladness.
1. Very glorious is that woman of whom the Son of God was made according to the flesh. The womb, like a heap of wheat, is the womb of the Mother of God; for the heap of wheat is the spotless members of Christ as they were formed in that virginal womb. The lilies, that girdle the wheat, are the splendour of every kind of chastity with which all the members and senses of the Blessed Virgin are adorned.
2. Jesus by His death freed from death the human race; and because He says that He is a grain of wheat, it is the custom of His Church to consecrate His Body under no other species.
3. The prophet praises the wheat of the elect; for the sweetest bread is the Body of Christ in the glory of the Blessed.
N. Observe that the Blessed will have a triple gift from the sweet and beautiful Body of our Lord: 1, the preparation of all delights; 2, the fulfilling of all desires; 3, peaceful and everlasting enjoyment of all good.
Here the wicked eat with the good; there the wicked will be under the ceaseless curse, while the good will be in the safety of the marriage-feast of our Lord which never ends.
The Voice of the Holy Ghost
About wheaten bread; They shall be converted that sit under His shadow; they shall live upon wheat. Osee 14:8.
(2) Its likeness to the faithful; 1. Preachers; Corn desireth clouds, and the clouds spread their light. They go round about, whithersoever the will of Him that governeth them shall lead them, to whatsoever He shall command them upon the face of the whole earth. Job 37:11.
2. Purification; An Angel of the Lord came and sat under an oak that was in Ephra, and belonged to Joas, the father of the family of Ezri; and when Gedeon his son was thrashing and cleansing wheat by the winepress to flee from Madian, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him. Judges 6:11, 12.
They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls. They that fear the Lord keep His commandments, and will have patience until His visitation. Ecclus. 2:20, 21.
3. Rest in Heaven; Thou shalt enter into the grave in abundance, as a heap of wheat is brought in its season. Job 5:26.
Whose fan is in His hand, and He will purge His floor, and will gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire. St. Luke 3:17.
(3) Its likeness to His Body; 1. Jesus in the womb of Mary; Thy womb is like a heap of wheat set about with lilies. Cantic. 7:2.
Blessed is the womb that bare Thee. St. Luke 11:27.
2. His Passion; Amen, amen I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, itself remaineth alone. St. John 12:24, 25.
3. His Body glorified; What is the good thing of Him, and what is His beautiful thing, but the corn of the elect and the wine budding forth virgins? Zach. 9:17.
N. 1. The preparation; The bread of Aser shall be fat, and he shall yield dainties to kings. Gen. 49:20.
In Thy sweetness, O God, Thou hast provided for the poor. Ps. 67:11.
Thou didst feed Thy people with the food of Angels, and gavest them bread from Heaven prepared without labour; having in it all that is delicious and the sweetness of every taste. Wisd. 16:20.
As it is written, That eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love Him. 1 Cor. 2:9.
2. The fulfilling; Who hath placed peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the fat of corn. Ps. 147:14.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Sion. Ps. 147:12.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within me bless His holy name. Ps. 102:1.
I will fill the souls of the priests with fatness, and My people shall be filled with My good things, saith the Lord. Jerem. 31:14.
Thy sustenance showed Thy sweetness to Thy children, and serving every man’s will, it was turned to what every man liked. Wisd. 16:21.
3. The fruition; Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. St. Luke 14:15.
The Lord hath sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thy enemies, and the sons of the strangers shall not drink thy wine for which thou hast laboured; for they that gather it shall eat it, and shall praise the Lord, and they that bring it together shall drink it in My holy courts. Is. 62:8, 9.
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; Thou shalt fill me with joy with Thy countenance; at Thy right hand are delights even to the end. Ps. 15:10.
Thanksgiving
O Eternal Father, Thou hast set me here to try me and prove me, and Thou hast given me a work to do. For this I thank Thee and bless Thee and praise Thee. In all sorrow and in all pain, in the light of our eyes and in the gladness of life, Thou dost wisely and sweetly order all things from one end of the world to the other. Thou dost wisely and sweetly order all things about me. I am poor and weak and blind; but Thou hast always thought of me Thy child, and Thou hast always loved me, and lovest me now, with an everlasting love. However great my sufferings may be in body or in mind, keep me in Thy peace, and give me grace always to be stayed on Thee. Whatever loneliness or dread or shadows of terror may come to me, Thy hand holds me, and Thy right hand guides me. Thou art blessed in all that Thou givest, and blessed in all that Thou dost not give, and blessed in all that Thou takest away. O most loving Father, though Thou shouldest slay me, I will trust Thee.
Now I thank Thee for this living Bread which I have received. The crumbs from the table of Thy Son are more precious than all the feasts and riches of the world. Thou hast given me Thy Son; Thou hast given me Thy Holy Spirit. O my Father and my God, what a giver Thou art! But who am I that Thou shouldest be mindful of me, and what am I that Thou shouldest regard me? I am Thy child, and Thou art the Father who made me for Thyself. Thou hast been my Father from eternity: and beneath me are Thy everlasting arms. With all my heart and all my soul and all my strength I give thanks and love and praise to Thee. Thou art the unbeginning fountain of the Godhead. Thou art the principle of Thy uncreated Son, and with Him Thou art the principle of Thy uncreated Spirit. O Father, I love Thee.