HE that eats my flesh. he said, and drinks my blo0d,
dwells in me, and I in him. Just as if someone were to pour one lot of melted
wax into another, the obvious result would be that both lots would become
entirely mingled together: so he who receives the flesh and blood of the Lord
is so united to him that Christ is in him and he in Christ.
YOU will find a somewhat similar comparison in
Matthew. The kingdom of heaven, he says, is like unto leaven, which a woman
took, and hid in three measures of wheat. A little leaven, as Paul says, leavens
the whole lump. Thus, a little of the Blessing draws the whole man to itself,
and fills him with its grace. Thus, it is that Christ dwells in us, and we in
Christ.
As for us, then, if we wish to attain unto eternal
life, if we desire to have within us the giver of immortality, let us make all
haste to receive this blessing; and let us be on our guard lest the devil place
false reverence as a stumbling block in our way. You say rightly, he would have
us say, yet we know that it is written, He that eats and drinks unworthily eats
and drinks damnation to himself. Therefore, I examine myself, and find myself
unworthy. But then, whoever you are who are speaking thus, when will you find
yourselves worthy? When will you offer yourself to Christ? For if you are
unworthy by reason of your sins, and you will never cease to sin, (Who can tell
how often he offends, as the Psalmist says,) then you will forever lack this
means of life and sanctification.
WHEREFORE, I beseech you, let your thoughts be of
God, and live an ardent and holy life: and partake of this Blessing. For, as I
believe it banishes not only death, but also all kinds of sickness as well. For
when Christ dwells within us, he calms the tumultuous law of sin in our
members: he strengthens goodness, he extinguishes passions, he heals diseases,
he repairs what has been broken: and, as the good shepherd who giveth his life
for the sheep., he raises us up from every fall.
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