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Objection 1: It seems that wheaten bread is not requisite for the
matter of this sacrament, because this sacrament is a reminder of our
Lord's Passion. But barley bread seems to be more in keeping with
the Passion than wheaten bread, as being more bitter, and because
Christ used it to feed the multitudes upon the mountain, as narrated
in Jn. 6. Therefore wheaten bread is not the proper matter of this
sacrament.
Objection 2: Further, in natural things the shape is a sign of
species. But some cereals resemble wheat, such as spelt and maize,
from which in some localities bread is made for the use of this
sacrament. Therefore wheaten bread is not the proper matter of this
sacrament.
Objection 3: Further, mixing dissolves species. But wheaten flour
is hardly to be found unmixed with some other species of grain, except
in the instance of specially selected grain. Therefore it does not
seem that wheaten bread is the proper matter for this sacrament.
Objection 4: Further, what is corrupted appears to be of another
species. But some make the sacrament from bread which is corrupted,
and which no longer seems to be wheaten bread. Therefore, it seems
that such bread is not the proper matter of this sacrament.
On the contrary, Christ is contained in this sacrament, and He
compares Himself to a grain of wheat, saying (Jn. 12:24):
"Unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, itself
remaineth alone." Therefore bread from corn, i.e. wheaten bread,
is the matter of this sacrament.
I answer that, As stated above (Article 1), for the use of the
sacraments such matter is adopted as is commonly made use of among men.
Now among other breads wheaten bread is more commonly used by men;
since other breads seem to be employed when this fails. And
consequently Christ is believed to have instituted this sacrament under
this species of bread. Moreover this bread strengthens man, and so it
denotes more suitably the effect of this sacrament. Consequently, the
proper matter for this sacrament is wheaten bread.
Reply to Objection 1: Barley bread serves to denote the hardness of
the Old Law; both on account of the hardness of the bread, and
because, as Augustine says (Question 83): "The flour within
the barley, wrapped up as it is within a most tenacious fibre, denotes
either the Law itself, which was given in such manner as to be vested
in bodily sacraments; or else it denotes the people themselves, who
were not yet despoiled of carnal desires, which clung to their hearts
like fibre." But this sacrament belongs to Christ's "sweet
yoke," and to the truth already manifested, and to a spiritual
people. Consequently barley bread would not be a suitable matter for
this sacrament.
Reply to Objection 2: A begetter begets a thing like to itself in
species. yet there is some unlikeness as to the accidents, owing
either to the matter, or to weakness within the generative power. And
therefore, if there be any cereals which can be grown from the seed of
the wheat (as wild wheat from wheat seed grown in bad ground), the
bread made from such grain can be the matter of this sacrament: and
this does not obtain either in barley, or in spelt, or even in maize,
which is of all grains the one most resembling the wheat grain. But
the resemblance as to shape in such seems to denote closeness of species
rather than identity; just as the resemblance in shape between the dog
and the wolf goes to show that they are allied but not of the same
species. Hence from such grains, which cannot in any way be generated
from wheat grain, bread cannot be made such as to be the proper matter
of this sacrament.
Reply to Objection 3: A moderate mixing does not alter the
species, because that little is as it were absorbed by the greater.
Consequently, then, if a small quantity of another grain be mixed
with a much greater quantity of wheat, bread may be made therefrom so
as to be the proper matter of this sacrament; but if the mixing be
notable, for instance, half and half; or nearly so, then such mixing
alters the species; consequently, bread made therefrom will not be the
proper matter of this sacrament.
Reply to Objection 4: Sometimes there is such corruption of the
bread that the species of bread is lost, as when the continuity of its
parts is destroyed, and the taste, color, and other accidents are
changed; hence the body of Christ may not be made from such matter.
But sometimes there is not such corruption as to alter the species,
but merely disposition towards corruption, which a slight change in the
savor betrays, and from such bread the body of Christ may be made:
but he who does so, sins from irreverence towards the sacrament. And
because starch comes of corrupted wheat, it does not seem as if the
body of Christ could be made of the bread made therefrom, although
some hold the contrary.
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