“…if we really yearn for eternal life, if we long to have the
provider of immortality within ourselves, let us not abstain from the
Eucharist like some of the more negligent, nor let us provide the devil
in the depths of his cunning with a trap and a snare for us in the form
of a pernicious kind of reverence. ‘Yes, indeed,’ someone might say.
‘But it is written: “Anyone who eats of the bread and drinks of the cup
unworthily, eats and drinks judgment upon himself” (cf. I Cor. 11:29). I
have examined myself and I see that I am not worthy.’ But then when
will you be worthy? My response would be: ‘When will you present
yourself to Christ? If you are always going to be afraid of falling, you
will never cease falling – “For who can discern his faults,” as the
holy Psalmist says (Ps. 18:12 LXX) – and you will end up totally bereft
of a share in saving sanctification.’ Make up your mind, then, to lead a
more devout life in conformity with the law, and so partake of the
Eucharist in the conviction that it dispels not only death but even the
diseases that are in us (cf. I Cor. 11:30). For when Christ has come to
be within us he lulls to sleep the law that rages in the members of
flesh. He rekindles our reverence towards God, while simultaneously
causing the passions to atrophy. He does not reckon our faults against
us. Instead, He binds up that which has been wounded, he raises that
which has fallen, as a good shepherd who has laid down His life for the
sheep (Ez. 34:16; Jn. 10:11).”
~St. Cyril of Alexandria (Cyril of Alexandria: The Early Church Fathers by Norman Russell, Commentary on John 6:56
Thanks to Christ is in our Midst
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