The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

342 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.divided Saviour, but shares in the whole Sacramentas fully as if he participated in both forms.Hence,the layman who receives the consecrated bread, partakes as copiously of the body and blood of Christ asthe officiating priest who receives both consecratedelements.Our Lord says:"I am the living bread whichcame down from heaven. If any man eat of thisbread, he shall live forever; and the bread whichI will give is My flesh, for the life of the world. . . .He that eateth Me, the same also shall live byHe Me.that eateth this lbread, shall live forever."From this passage, it is evident that whoever partakesof the form of bread, partakes of the livingflesh of Jesus Christ, which is inseparable from Hisblood, and which, being now in a glorious state,cannot be divided ; for,"Christ rising from thedead, dieth now no more." 2 Our Lord, in Hiawords quoted, makes no reference to the sacramentalcup, but only to the Eucharistic bread, to which Heascribes all the efficacy which is attached to communion under both kinds, viz., union with Him,spiritual life, eternal salvation.St. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says : "Whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice ofthe Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the bodyand of the blood of the Lord." *The Apostle hereplainly declaresthat, by an unworthy participation1 John vi. 51, and seq. Kom. vi. 9.3 I. Cor. xi. 27.