9781644135945

The Light of the World
strengthened, filled with the fullness of God. But all growth in grace and virtue, all union of man
with Christ, is conditioned by the increase and growth of charity. It is charity that changes us
into Christ; it is the fire that purges all worldliness from our soul. Holy Communion aims at the
increase, purification, and perfection of charity, which is the most beautiful and most precious
gift of Holy Communion. Under the warm rays of the sun the hard green berries become soft
and sweet; in like manner the Sun of the Eucharist brings about a tremendous change of the
inner man in us, because of Christ’s limitless love poured forth upon us. The thoughts, acts,
sentiments, and endeavors of the natural man give way to those of Jesus. His truth becomes the
light of our spirit; His love becomes the life-stream of our heart. We go out of ourselves, forsake
ourselves, and enter into Him, united to Him as to a spouse.
At the moment of Holy Communion we become Christ-bearers, absorbing His flesh
and His blood in our veins; and thus we partake of the divine nature (St. Cyril of Jerusalem).
This partaking of the divine nature is true not only as long as the Eucharistic gifts are present
in us, but even when they are gone He remains in us as God, knowing all about us, watching
over us, giving us His love and grace. His love, the love of His divine-human heart, remains
with us. The union of His heart with our heart is the real purpose of Holy Communion. If
the hearts of earthly lovers remain united even when they are physically separated, if they
are always near each other, thinking of each other and longing for each other in love, then
it must be clear that the loving heart of Jesus must continue to love us even when we are
physically separated. It is His desire to espouse our soul according to His human nature also.
“With desire I have desired to eat this pasch with you” (Lk 22:15). “Having loved His own
who were in the world, He loved them unto the end” ( Jn 13:1). The Eucharist unites us with
Christ in a durable bond of unity, a community of interests, a mutual possession, which will
be knitted firmly by the power of love. How fortunate we should consider ourselves to be
thus so closely united to our God!
“He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me and I in him” in a holy
espousal. Love draws the beloved to itself and changes him into itself. What is more natural
than that as often we receive Holy Communion worthily, we are renewed in our thinking
and become new men who are created after God and Christ in true justice and holiness.
“Thou hast commanded Thy commandments to be kept most diligently. Oh that my ways
may be directed to keep Thy justifications” (Communion). The espoused soul knows only
what will please the Lord. It has become one spirit with Him, one in desire and endeavor.
That is the fruit of Holy Communion.
Prayer
Almighty and merciful God, in Thy loving kindness shield us from all adversity, that being
prepared in soul and body, we may with free minds perform the works that are Thine. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Friday
“Put on the new man. . . . Wherefore, putting away lying, speak ye the truth. . . . Be angry and sin
not. Let not the sun go down on your anger. Give not place to the devil” (Epistle).
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