From Ecclesia de Eucharistia:
"The Church has received the Eucharist from Christ her Lord not as one gift—however precious—among so many others, but as the gift par excellence, for it is the gift of himself, of his person in his sacred humanity, as well as the gift of his saving work. Nor does it remain confined to the past, since all that Christ is—all that he did and suffered for all men—participates in the divine eternity, and so transcends all times."
(#11)Prayer #7
- The Greatest Act of Love in Human HistoryBeloved Jesus, You finished strong, in Your weakness. O divine paradox!
You died in the utmost fullness of love
and You remain forever in that magnificent, everlasting Gift of Yourself.
Even if – as St. Mark’s Gospel tells us – You died
with a "loud scream" heard by all who stood there,
faith unveils the breadth and length, height and depth of that supreme moment.
That loud cry in which You died was a cry of obedient, self-giving love
that could redeem a million worlds.
In that act of love, You broke through and destroyed the bondage of sin.
You carried us with You into the bosom of Your Father.
O Incarnate Son of God, in the name of all humanity,
You totally emptied Yourself,
pouring Your whole life and being into the bosom of the Father.
In that supreme act of love, You knew me and You loved me.
You had me with You, Jesus, as You uttered that cry and made that gift of love,
yes, as if I alone needed to be redeemed. And this is true for every soul.
I wish to live my life, and die my death in union with that act of redeeming love.
Your Paschal Mystery does not remain confined to the past
but participates in the divine eternity and so transcends space and time.
May it remain ever engraved on my heart and deepest being,
deeper than mere memory.
May I live my entire life in the living memory of Your Passion and Death.
And when You come to take me with Yourself
to the place You have prepared for me, Jesus,
grant that I too may die in an act of utmost self-giving love
in union with You.
Holy, Holy, Holy!
