What about the Eucharist in relation to the Church? When Catholics assemble to offer sacrifice together, they show forth by sacred signs that they are a community of brothers, the family of God; not only a community but also a living body which draws its life and is made one by its union with the same Christ. By celebrating and receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ together, they increase their sense of being one body with one another, of belonging to one another and of caring for one another.
Through the liturgy we are united with all members of the Church, wherever they may be; that is, with the Church Militant on earth, with the Church Suffering in Purgatory, and with the Church Triumphant in heaven. We unite our prayer with them and pray for all in need.
When we offer sacrifice in an authentic manner, we pledge ourselves to live the truth of what we celebrate by committing ourselves to love one another and spend ourselves for one another as Christ has loved us and spent Himself for us. We are called upon to imitate what we receive, and to model our lives on Him whom we receive by being ready to lay down our lives for one another as He has laid down His life for us.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
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