Holy Thursday - A few quotes
For the feast of Holy Thursday - the institution of the source and summit of our faith, the Holy Eucharist - I have collected a few quotes on the matter. They come from a few songs, mostly. The words are worth meditating on.
From "Carry Us In Your Arms", Steven R. Janco and J. Keith Zavelli
Bread of the angels, the flesh of forever,
Has nurtured us on our way.
Though we pass through the valley of death,
In his arms we will safely stay.
Wine of the promise, the cup of salvation,
Has shattered the grip of the night.
Though our spirits be darkened by grief,
At His word, darkness turns to light."
Translation of Pange Lingua by Melvin Farrell
Praise we Christ's immortal Body,
And his precious blood we prais:
Born of royal Virgin Mother,
He shall reign for endless days!
Dying once to save all nations,
Evermore he wins our praise!
On the eve of that Last Supper,
Breaking bread with chosen friends,
He obeys the Law's directions
Even as the Old Law ends.
Now he hands the Twelve a new bread:
His own flesh with their flesh blends!
Humbly let us voice our homage
For so great a sacrament;
Let all former rites surrender
To the Lord's New Testament;
What our sense fail to fathom,
Let us grasp through faith's consent!
Glory, honor, adoration
Let us sing with one accord!
Praised be God, almighty Father;
Praised be Christ, his Son, our Lord;
Praised be God the Holy Spirit;
Triune Godhead be adored.
And in closing, as if my words could ever make an impression after those, I'd like to add a little bit of my own. Jesus' death is often somehow overlooked. It's something we don't like to think about. Yet, it in itself saved us. Constantly, when we go to Mass, we are transported above time to the sanctifying sacrifice of Christ on the cross. You've heard the Passion told a million times, maybe this once during the Paschal Triduum, it will get through.
~Ambrose
From "Carry Us In Your Arms", Steven R. Janco and J. Keith Zavelli
Bread of the angels, the flesh of forever,
Has nurtured us on our way.
Though we pass through the valley of death,
In his arms we will safely stay.
Wine of the promise, the cup of salvation,
Has shattered the grip of the night.
Though our spirits be darkened by grief,
At His word, darkness turns to light."
Translation of Pange Lingua by Melvin Farrell
Praise we Christ's immortal Body,
And his precious blood we prais:
Born of royal Virgin Mother,
He shall reign for endless days!
Dying once to save all nations,
Evermore he wins our praise!
On the eve of that Last Supper,
Breaking bread with chosen friends,
He obeys the Law's directions
Even as the Old Law ends.
Now he hands the Twelve a new bread:
His own flesh with their flesh blends!
Humbly let us voice our homage
For so great a sacrament;
Let all former rites surrender
To the Lord's New Testament;
What our sense fail to fathom,
Let us grasp through faith's consent!
Glory, honor, adoration
Let us sing with one accord!
Praised be God, almighty Father;
Praised be Christ, his Son, our Lord;
Praised be God the Holy Spirit;
Triune Godhead be adored.
And in closing, as if my words could ever make an impression after those, I'd like to add a little bit of my own. Jesus' death is often somehow overlooked. It's something we don't like to think about. Yet, it in itself saved us. Constantly, when we go to Mass, we are transported above time to the sanctifying sacrifice of Christ on the cross. You've heard the Passion told a million times, maybe this once during the Paschal Triduum, it will get through.
~Ambrose
posted by Ambrose at 3/20/2008 09:46:00 PM
2 Comments:
Why is it called "bread of angels"?
Good question.
If I'm not mistaken, it's a metaphor referring to the fact that as the angels get their life straight from God, this Sacrament nourishes us to continue on the road to the same direct life with Him. I know, it doesn't quite make as much sense as one would think it should.
Post a Comment
<< Home