Truly a Mystery

It is hard to wrap one's self around a subject that is a mystery. This mystery confirmed by God's word. Some of this is from Tradition, as the bible commands us to "stand firm and hold to the traditions" (Thessalonians 2:15). In order for me to comprehend that Jesus can be physically present in the Consecrated Bread and Wine, I first must understand how the Logos (Word of God), dwelt in a Virginal Womb. (The Virgin Mary is sometimes called the Chalice, Tabernacle of God, because she contained God in her womb.) That in itself is a mystery. Yet in Matthew 1:23, we read: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel." (God is with us). John the Baptist, in the womb of Elizabeth, heard the voice of Mary & leapt with joy. Elizabeth embraced the Virgin Mary saying: "Blessed art thou among women & blessed is the fruit of thy womb."(Luke 1:41-42) In (John 1:14) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. If you go to goarch.org/chapel/liturgical texts here, you will find the following: Akathist Hymn and Small Compline, Apolytikion. "The Mother of our God gave birth to God the Word". "When the bodiless learned of the secret command, he came in haste to Joseph's house and said to her who knew not wedlock: He who bowed the heavens by coming down is Contained Wholly and unchanged in you. Seeing Him take the form of a servant in your womb, I stand in awe and cry out to you. Rejoice, O Bride unwedded." Canon ODE1 To the Mother of God, "The great Archangel, beholding You exclaimed: "Rejoice, O Vessel of Joy" ODE Three Rejoice, untilled land which has sprouted the divine ear of wheat. Rejoice, living table which has held the bread of life. Rejoice, O Lady, never empty font of living water. The symbolism in the above, certainly to me expresses a relationship which encompasses physical manifestations. It is not hard for me therefore, to understand that the Lord can dwell physically inside of me. Reading 1Corinthians23---"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (John 6:51)"I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will LIVE FOREVER; AND THE BREAD THAT I SHALL GIVE IS MY FLESH, WHICH I SHALL GIVE FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD." Jesus Himself tells us that the bread is His flesh.

On Saturday, we will remember those who have died in our families by celebrating, "The Saturday of Souls" Liturgy. We will take communion and in thanksgiving remember that we shared a "common faith." One which we were lucky enough to receive through many generations of believers, and hopefully will pass down to the next generations. May their memory be eternal.
Scripture references are Taken from the Orthodox Study bible.