ACC ~ John 6 v48

SIN HAS ITS OWN SPECIAL BREAD TOO

ATHANASIUS: God by his living Word enlivens everyone and gives his Word as food and life to the saints, as the Lord declares, “I am the bread of life.”… But sin, too, has its own special bread—of death, calling to those who are lovers of pleasure and lack understanding. [Sin] says, “Touch with delight secret bread and sweet waters that are stolen.” [1] For one who merely touches them has no idea that what is born from the earth perishes with [sin]. For even when the sinner thinks he is going to find pleasure, the end result of that food is anything but pleasant, as the Wisdom of God again reminds us: “Bread of deceit is pleasant to a person; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.” [2] … The end result is, he eats and rejoices for a little while, but afterwards he spurns it the further his soul has moved away [from God]. For the fool does not know that those who depart far from God shall perish. [3] … “Leave foolishness behind so that you may live, seek understanding so that you may remain.” [4] For the bread of Wisdom is living fruit, as the Lord said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven: if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever.” For when Israel ate of the manna, which was indeed pleasant and wonderful, they still died, and whoever ate it did not live forever as a consequence of eating it; rather, the whole multitude died in the wilderness….

Now wicked people hunger for bread like this, for weak souls will hunger. But the righteous alone, being prepared, shall be satisfied, saying, “I shall behold your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when your glory is seen by me.” [5] For he who partakes of divine bread always hungers with desire. And he who hungers in this way has a never-failing gift, as Wisdom promises, saying, “The Lord will not slay the righteous soul with famine.” [6] He promises too in the Psalms, “I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.” [7] We may also hear our Savior saying, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” [8] It is much more satisfying then for the saints and those who love the life that is in Christ when they elevate themselves to a longing after this food. FESTAL LETTER 7.4-6. [9]

[1] Prov 9:17.

[2] Prov 20:17.He also cites Prov 5:3-4.

[3] He cites Jer 2:18; Prov 9:1-5, 6, 18.

[4] Prov 9:6.

[5] Ps 17:15 (16:15 LXX).

[6] Prov 10:3.

[7] Ps 132:15 (131:15 LXX).

[8] Mt 5:6.

[9] NPNF 2 4:525**; NPB 6 1:76.

KNEADING HIS BODY WITH OURS

CHRYSOSTOM: Those people then at the time of Jesus reaped no fruit from what was said. We, on the other hand, enjoy the benefit in seeing these things truly realized [in the present]. And so, it is necessary to understand the marvel of the mysteries: [1] what they are, why they were given and how they are profitable. We become one body and “members of his flesh and of his bones.” [2] Let the initiated follow what I say. In order then that we may become this not only by love, but in action, let us be blended into that flesh. This is effected by the food that he has freely given to us, desiring to show the love that he has for us. This is why he has mixed up himself with us. He has kneaded up his body with ours, so that we might be one distinct entity, like a body joined to a head. For this belongs to those whose love is strong…. This is also what Christ has done in order to lead us into a closer friendship and to show his love for us. He has allowed those who desire him not only to see him but even to touch, and eat him, and fix their teeth in his flesh and to embrace him and satisfy all their love. Let us then return from that table like lions breathing fire, having become terrible to the devil, ruminating on our head and on the love that he has shown for us. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 46.3. [3]

[1] The sacrament.

[2] Eph 5:30.

[3] NPNF 1 14:166*.

THE BREAD OF LIFE DESTROYS CORRUPTION AND DEATH

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: [Jesus] at length reveals himself to the [children of Israel], saying, “I am the bread of life.” He does this so that they may now learn that if they want to get rid of the corruption that rules their lives and avoid the death that fell upon us because of sin, then they must draw near and participate in the only one who is strong enough to save them by destroying corruption and death. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 4.2. [1]

[1] LF 43:406**.