The Early Church Reflects on the Eucharist

Sunday was the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also commonly known as "Corpus Christi."


As further reflection on this gift of our Lord Jesus, here are the words of a few of the early Christians that exemplify their devotion to the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

"At these meetings you should heed the Bishop and presbytery attentively and break one loaf, which is the medicine of immortality and the antidote which wards off death but yeilds continous life in union with Jesus Christ." (St. Ignatius of Antioch, early 2nd century)

"So we have been taught that the food consecrated by the word of prayer which comes from him, from which our flesh and blood are nourished by transformation, is the flesh and blood of that incarnate Jesus."
(St. Justin Martyr, mid 2nd century)

"He has declared the cup, a part of creation, to be his own blood, from which he causes our blood to flow; and the bread, a part of his creation, he has established as his own body, from which he gives increase unto our bodies." (St Irenaeus, late 2nd century)

"If we approach with faith, we too will see Jesus...for the Eucharistic table takes the place of the crib. Here the Body of the Lord is present, wrapped not in swaddling clothes but un the rays of the Holy Spirit."
(St. John Chrysostom, 4th century)

"Our participation in the Body and Blood of Christ do not lead to anything other than changing us into what we eat." (St Leo the Great, 5th century)