Feast of Saint Ephrem

Today the Universal Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Ephrem. A doctor of the Church, he was born in 306 in modern day Turkey. He was a deacon and never aspired to the priesthood. He was known as the "Harp of the Holy Spirit" and wrote many early hymns rich with the theology and beliefs of the Christians at the time. For those who deny the Eucharist and baptismal regeneration, these are difficult words to explain away. Though not canonical scripture, the writings of the early Christians help us to see the faith as it was lived and expressed.

  "In your sacrament we daily embrace you and receive you into our bodies; make us worthy to experience the resurrection for which we hope. We have had your treasure hidden within us ever since we received baptismal grace; it grows ever richer at your sacramental table. Teach us to find our joy in your favor! Lord, we have within us your memorial, received at your spiritual table; let us possess it in its full reality when all things shall be made new.” 

 *The Eucharist is a sacrament received daily. (Our Daily Bread)
 *The early Christians did not assume they were making it into heaven. They prayed to be worthy of the resurrection for which they hoped.
*Baptism gave them initial grace which grows by experiencing the sacraments.
*They will experience Christ in full reality at the resurrection.

 Clearly, the theology in Saint Ephrem's writings from the early fourth century was unmistakably Catholic.