Toward heaven...

"The Eucharist is a fire that inflames us, that, like lions breathing fire,

we may retire from the altar being made terrible to the devil."

St John Chrysostom

 

St John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, in a homily on the words of Eucharistic institution at the Last Supper in Matthew 26, speaks most powerfully on the reality of the Body and Blood of Christ. ... Imagine the great bishop standing in the cathedral church of Constantinople before the altar and saying the following:

"How many there are who still say, "I want to see His shape, His image, His clothing, His sandals.'  Behold you do see Him, you touch Him, you eat Him!  You want to see His clothing.  He gives Himself to you, not just to be seen but to be touched, to be eaten, to be received within. 

Let all of you be ardent, fervent, enthusiastic.  If the Jews stood, shoes on, staff in hand, and eating in haste, how much more vigilant should you be. They were about to go Palestine; you are about to go to heaven."  (Homily 82 on the Gospel of Matthew)

Excerpt from In the Presence of Our Lord: 

The History, Theology and Psychology of Eucharistic Devotion 

- Fr Benedict J Groeschel, CFR, and James Monti

St John Chrysostom

Chrysostomos - 'golden-mouthed'

Syria ~ 347- 407

Archbishop of Constantinople

Doctor of the Church

Patron of orators

FEAST DAY ~ September 13

Photo above: Statue from the "Angel Bridge" -  Roma

"The bee is honored more than other animals, not because she labors,

but because she labors for others.”  ~ St John Chrysostom

  Click here: Saint John Chrysostom - YouTube (25 mins - excellent!)  

Click here: Early Church Fathers: St. John Chrysostom - YouTube (4 mins)

St John Chrysostom, pray for us!