Be Christ-Bearing
On Holy Thursday
we commemorate
the Secret Supper of the Lord.
"He who eats my body and drinks my blood
"He who eats my body and drinks my blood
abides in Me and I in him" (John 7:22-59; Matt. 27:17-29)
By Archimandrite Athanasios Mitilinaios
By Archimandrite Athanasios Mitilinaios
The manna fed the Jews in the desert for forty whole years, but the manna was not the true one. It was just a prototype. Those who ate it died.
The true manna had to come, that those who will eat it will never die. This was also demanded by those who were fed with bread among the crowd of five thousand. But they did not recognize that the "the True Bread" was before them. "Man shall not live on bread alone", but "if he eats this bread he will live unto the ages."
Many think like this. In the accumulation of material goods they imagine that there is life and happiness. They are like those five thousand who approached the Lord and asked for "the food that spoils." This is the majority way of thinking. Only a few, the Twelve, the very close circle, understood Jesus. They stayed after what He said.
It is very difficult to discern what has a permanent and eternal life and what does not. Those whom the Father has drawn to the Son, only they can understand where life is (John 6:44).
"He who eats My flesh abides in Me and I in him." Body and soul become the abode of Christ. They are "Christ-bearers" and "God-bearers". They are "of the same body" and "of the same blood".
How immeasurable is Your Love, Lord! How did you find me worthy to become Your member! Let this filthy tent become Your own tent! I am in awe and I am ashamed of myself! Where will I lean, where will I lay Your member? I see the light of Your grace and from the depths of my heart, I long very much, to give you a much praise.
The true manna had to come, that those who will eat it will never die. This was also demanded by those who were fed with bread among the crowd of five thousand. But they did not recognize that the "the True Bread" was before them. "Man shall not live on bread alone", but "if he eats this bread he will live unto the ages."
Many think like this. In the accumulation of material goods they imagine that there is life and happiness. They are like those five thousand who approached the Lord and asked for "the food that spoils." This is the majority way of thinking. Only a few, the Twelve, the very close circle, understood Jesus. They stayed after what He said.
It is very difficult to discern what has a permanent and eternal life and what does not. Those whom the Father has drawn to the Son, only they can understand where life is (John 6:44).
"He who eats My flesh abides in Me and I in him." Body and soul become the abode of Christ. They are "Christ-bearers" and "God-bearers". They are "of the same body" and "of the same blood".
How immeasurable is Your Love, Lord! How did you find me worthy to become Your member! Let this filthy tent become Your own tent! I am in awe and I am ashamed of myself! Where will I lean, where will I lay Your member? I see the light of Your grace and from the depths of my heart, I long very much, to give you a much praise.
"Of Thy Secret Supper, O Son of God,
accept me today as a communicant.
For I will not speak of Thy Mysteries to Thine enemies,
neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss.
But like the thief will I confess Thee:
remember me O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.
accept me today as a communicant.
For I will not speak of Thy Mysteries to Thine enemies,
neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss.
But like the thief will I confess Thee:
remember me O Lord, in Thy Kingdom.