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From Mane Nobiscum: "The Eucharist not only provides the interior strength for this mission, but is also–in some sense–its plan. For the Eucharist is a mode of being, which passes from Jesus into each Christian, through whose testimony it is meant to spread throughout society and culture. For this to happen, each member of the faithful must assimilate through personal and communal meditation, the values which the Eucharist expresses, the attitudes it inspires, the resolutions to which it gives rise." (#25) Prayer #18 - The Plan for the Mission of the ChurchO Lord Jesus Christ, in the treasure of the Holy Eucharist, we find the strength and the plan for the mission of Your Church. In the Mass and in all of her liturgy, the Church is bringing Your sacred Passion and Death to completion. The salvation of the world is being furthered and accomplished, relentlessly spreading like yeast through society and culture. In the Holy Eucharist, You "build" Your Church, through sacramental communion with Your Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, pouring forth in superabundance the life-energy of Your Spirit to change us more and more into Yourself. Thus, Your very life with the Father in the fire of Your Holy Spirit passes into us and becomes our mode of being. O Jesus, when You feed us with Your holy Body and Blood, You mysteriously involve us in Your redeeming sacrifice that we may carry out the mission of the Church in our own way of life, giving testimony to the truth so that all might be saved. Abba Father, each day You give us the true Bread from heaven, Your Son, the true Paschal Lamb which we are to eat standing up, with loins girt and staff in hand, ready to make the Passover of the Lord. Holy Communion–our daily nourishment on our life’s journey–is the sacrificed Lamb of God, burning, blazing in an everlasting holocaust of redeeming love. Father, we hunger for this super-substantial food which sustains and fortifies us in the spiritual battles of the Church militant. Our Father, give us always this Bread from heaven! Help us assimilate Eucharistic values and attitudes, so that in union with the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus we may live a life of selfless love "in remembrance" of Him. Holy, Holy, Holy!
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