The early church fathers saw...
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The early church fathers saw the sixth chapter in the gospel of John as depicting Jesus as the source of eternal life and basis for the unity of all believers. Augustine using what became Catholic doctrine often quoted this passage in his sermons. In a baptismal homily he wrote: "Take, then, and eat the body of Christ, for by the body of Christ you are already made members of Christ. Take also and drink the blood of Christ. Lest there be division among you, eat of what binds you together."
In another sermon he stated: "There you are on the altar, there you are in the chalice. In this sacrament you are united with us -- we are joined together, we drink together, because we share life together."
In still another sermon he writes: "Until now, as you see, it is simply bread and wine. But once the consecration takes place, this bread will be the body of Christ, and this wine will be the blood of Christ."
In another sermon he stated: "There you are on the altar, there you are in the chalice. In this sacrament you are united with us -- we are joined together, we drink together, because we share life together."
In still another sermon he writes: "Until now, as you see, it is simply bread and wine. But once the consecration takes place, this bread will be the body of Christ, and this wine will be the blood of Christ."
