Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsExodus 16
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Exodus 16 in the BibleOriginal Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Exodus 16 in the BibleOriginal Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Exodus 16:15
Man hu! What is this!
[1] When the people of Israel in the desert had spent their provision of meat brought from Ægypt, and according to God's promise had received store of quails; going forth in the morning they saw a strange thing lie upon the ground like to hoar frost, whereat marveling they said one to another What is this! in their language Man hu! Whereupon saith Theodoret (q. 30. in Exod.) their demand was turned into the name, and it was called Manna. Which as the same and other ancient Doctors gather by the holy Scriptures, was a wonderful and miraculous meat, [2] and withal a figure of a more excellent thing, long after promised, and given by our B. Saviour, in the holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. As witness S. Gregory Nyssen (Enar. vitæ Moysi, circa medium) S. Ambrose (li. de ijs qui Myst. initian. cap. 8.) S. Cyril Alexandrinus, S. Chrysostom, S. Augustine, Theophilact and others [3], upon the sixth of S. John. Where also the text of our Saviour's long discourse with the Capharnaites, sheweth evidently that he promised to give a far better meat than Manna, to those that believed in him. I am, (saith our Lord) the bread of life, which descended from heaven; your fathers did eat Manna in the desert, and died. The bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world. My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed &c. S. Paul likewise teacheth (1. Cor. 10.) that this Manna, and the water issuing out of the rock, were figures of the same B. Sacrament, as is noted in those places.
Here only we commend to the Christian readers remembrance that the thing figured doth ever exceed the figure according to S. Paul's doctrine (Collos. 2.) wishing him therefore to consider, [1] that in Manna [2] were at least twelve clear miracles. [3] First, it was made by Angels whereof it is called, the bread of Angels. [4] Secondly, it was not produced from the earth, nor water, as ordinary meats are, but came from the air. [5] Thirdly, how fast or slowly soever any man did gather it, in the end each one had the same measure full, called a gomor, and no more nor less. [6] Fourthly, the sixth day which was next before the Sabbath, that which they gathered, was found to be double portions to other days, that is, two gomors for every one. [7] Fifthly, there fell none at all on the Sabbath day. [8] Sixthly, if in the rest of the week any part was left all night, it putrefied and was corrupt in the morning, but the night before the Sabbath day, it remained sound and good. [9] Seventhly, notwithstanding diversity of stomachs in so great a multitude, the same measure was sufficient and no more, to every one, young and old and of middle age. [10] Eighthly, the heat of the sun melted and consumed that which remained in the field, though otherwise it endured heat of the fire, seething in water, grinding in mills, and beating in mortars. [11] Ninthly, it tasted to every one, what they desired. [12] Tenthly, it seemed nevertheless to the evil minded, loathsome and light meat, but pleasant to the good. [13] Eleventhly, part of it was kept in the Ark by God's commandment, and was not corrupted in many hundred years. [14] Twelfthly, this strange and extraordinary provision continued forty years, that is, till the children of Israel came to the promised land, and then ceased.
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You see then so miraculous a figure far excelled Zuinglius' or Calvin's communion bread, which containeth no miracle at all, only signifying Christ's body. But, as our Saviour's own words import, and ancient fathers teach us, by Manna was prefigured Christ's very body and blood, with his soul and Divinity under the form of bread.
[1]
For this indeed infinitely excelleth Manna, containing all the foresaid, or rather much more eminent miracles. [2] For first, it was consecrated by the marvelous power of Christ's word, and ever since the same is done, by the like power communicated to Priests, [3] (2) in his Church militant, [4] (3) one and the very same, and not many, in innumerable places, and in every less or greater form, yea in the least particle of the accidents that may be, Christ is whole and entire. [5] (4) It giveth aboundance of grace in this life, signified by the day before the Sabbath, for the glory of the next life in eternal rest, [6] (5) where is no more use of Sacraments, but everlasting fruition of glory. [7] (6) Whosoever therefore would make temporal commodity of this heavenly food, as it were reserving Manna for other days of the week, it perisheth to him, and turneth to his ignominy, but being reserved in the faithful soul, for the life to come, which is the true Sabbath, it remaineth in heavenly treasure. [8] (7) And so it availeth to every one, as their soul, which is the spiritual stomach of supernatural meats, is less or more disposed. [9] (8) Though heat of persecution, and other adverse power take away this Sacrament and Sacrifice abroad in the field of this world, yet no power extinguisheth it within the Church, where it is in due manner prepared & ministered to the children of God, [10] (9.) where it yieldeth all comfort, strength & contentment to good spiritual desires, [11] (10.) but to the incredulous Capharnaites seemeth unpossible, and to carnal conceits loathsome. [12] (11.) Being worthily received into our mortal bodies, our ark or temporal tabernacle, it remaineth in incorruptible effect, whereby the body shall be raised again from death, and together with the soul be eternally glorified. [13] (12.) In the mean time of this pilgrimage of mankind, it is our wayfaring special provision, daily and supersubstantial bread, till we shall possess the promised land, the Kingdom of heaven in eternal bliss.