The heavenly Word proceeding forth,
Yet leaving not the Father’s side,
Accomplishing His work on earth
Had reached at length life’s eventide.

By false disciple to be given
To foemen for His life athirst
Himself, the very Bread of Heav’n,
He gave to His disciples first.

He gave Himself in either kind,
His precious flesh, His precious blood,
In love's own fullness thus designed
Of the whole man to be the Food.

By birth their fellow man was He;
Their Meat, when sitting at the board;
He died, their Ransomer to be;
He ever reigns, their great Reward.

Thomas Aquinas

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