9781644135945

The Light of the World
and to the extent that we can truthfully say, “I live, now not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Gal 2:20).
Christ is the head working in His members, the vine working in His branches. The best means
of growing in Christ will be found in the devout use of the Holy Eucharist.
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Gradual).
We know ourselves to be members of Christ, members of the Church, members of the communion
of saints. The more devoutly we pray, work, and sacrifice with the other members of
the community, the more rapidly and the more surely we shall reach perfection, and the more
spotless we shall be on “the day of Christ.” Union with Christ is the only means of attaining
perfection and eternal salvation, for we are not sufficient by ourselves.
Prayer
O God, our refuge and strength, the very Author of godliness, hear the devout prayers of Thy
Church and grant that what we confidently ask we may efficaciously obtain. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Monday
“That you may be sincere and without offense unto the day of Christ” (Epistle). This is the
intention and the favor for which the Church prays in the canonical hours of the Divine Office
and in every Mass throughout the year, but especially now that the coming of the day of Christ is
recalled to us by the end of the Church year. Now the Church, the Esther of the New Covenant,
cries out to the Lord: “Give a well-ordered speech in my mouth, that my words may be pleasing
in the sight of the prince” (Offertory).
“Give a well-ordered speech in my mouth.” The Church prays that Christ, the Word of God, may
espouse her to Himself again and become entirely hers. She prays that in the Holy Sacrifice He
may offer Himself to the Father as her offering, and enter into His presence as her intercessor,
laying her prayers and her petitions before the Father. She prays that by means of the reception
of Holy Communion, Christ may unite Himself to her and all her members, that they may all
be purified and sanctified. It is the prayer of the Church that in the Mass the Word of God may
speak, through the offering of His blood, in the name of all His sinful brethren and ask: “If Thou,
O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand it? For with Thee is merciful forgiveness, O
God of Israel. Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice” (Introit).
“I have cried, for Thou, O God, hast heard me; O incline Thy ear unto me, and hear my words”
(Communion). It is the fact that she prays with a “well-ordered speech” that gives the Church
confidence that her prayer will be answered favorably. When she prays, it is Christ, the Son, “in
whom the Father is well pleased,” who prays in her. She prays through Christ, who can always
say, “I give Thee thanks that Thou hast heard Me” ( Jn 11:41). Can God refuse to hear the prayer
of Him who intercedes for us and offers Himself up for us with such unutterable love? When
we pray and make our offering with the Church, “a well-ordered speech” is placed in our mouth
also, for we offer to the Father the soul, the body, and the blood of His Son. What we offer to
the Father is the praise, the thanksgiving, and the satisfaction made by the Son. “You are made
rich in Him, . . . who also will confirm you unto the end without crime, in the days of the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 1:5, 8).
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