From the words of Pope Francis in one of his homilies —
Pope Francis states, “We know that Jesus alone is the Bread of Life. The Father has given Him to us. There is only One Living and True Bread: The One Who was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, died on Calvary and arose the next Sunday: Jesus Christ Our Lord. And we want to take responsibility for that Bread, for while it is a gift from God it is a task for us. The Lord is asking us to help share Him out as Bread: He wants to be close to people who need His Presence by way of our hands. Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, wants our assistance as He gives Himself to be shared, to be Bread to sustain and unite us all around Him.”
The Witness of the Fathers
This firm belief in Jesus’ words concerning His Real Presence is very evident in the early Christian Catholic Church as is demonstrated from quotes of early Church Fathers.
Luke 22:29 — The Last Supper — When the hour came, He took His place at the table with the Apostles. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for, I tell you, I shall not eat it (again) until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” Then He took a cup, gave thanks and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood which will be shed for you.”
Ignatius of Antioch (110 A.D.) — (3rd Bishop of Antioch, he received the martyr’s crown as he was thrown to wild beasts in the Arena —
“I have no taste for the food that perishes nor the pleasures of this life. I want the Bread of God which is the Flesh of Christ, who was the seed of David: and for drink I desire His Blood which is love that cannot be destroyed.”
Irenaeus of Lyons (140-202) — (2nd Bishop of Lyons) —
“The Bread over which thanks has been given is the body of their Lord, and the cup of His blood…”
Justin Martyr (110-165) — convert to Christianity, many church scholars consider him the greatest defender of the Faith from the 2nd century. He was beheaded —
“This food we call the Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake except one who believes that the things we teach are true, and has received the Washing for forgiveness of sins and for rebirth, and who lives as Christ handed down to us. For we do not receive these things as common bread or common drink; but as Jesus Christ our Savior being incarnate by God’s Word took Flesh and Blood for our salvation, so also we have been taught that the food Consecrated by the Word of prayer which comes from Him, from which our flesh and blood are nourished by transformation, is the Flesh and Blood of that Incarnate Jesus.”
Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386) — Bishop of Jerusalem (348-378) —
“We have been instructed that these matters and filled with an unshakable faith, that which seems to be bread, is not bread, though it tastes like it, but the Body of Christ, and that which seems to be wine, is not wine, though it tastes as such, but the Blood of Christ…draw inner strength by receiving this bread as spiritual food and your soul will rejoice!”
ADORATION
In the “Lords” presence,
I can only say how much I Love “Him”,
Each and every day,
“His” presence fills the room.
With “His” angels near “His” side,
My burdens have been lifted
And replaced with “His” love.
Brothers who get to read this
Know that “He” is here,
Sometimes you have no words,
But “He” listens very clear.
Trust in “Him” with all your heart,
Because “He” holds us very near,
Adoration “He” is here,
Today, tomorrow and all Eternity
Thank you Jesus!!
“Amen, Amen I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. “I” am the bread of life” – John 6:47