Incorporation into Christ, which is brought about by Baptism, is constantly
renewed and consolidated by sharing in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, especially by
that full sharing which takes place in sacramental communion. We can say not
only that each of us receives Christ, but also that Christ receives
each of us. He enters into friendship with us: 'You are my friends' (Jn 15:14). Indeed, it is because of
him that we have life: 'He who eats me will live because of me' (Jn
6:57). Eucharistic communion brings about in a sublime way the mutual 'abiding' of Christ and each of his followers: 'Abide in me, and I in you'
(Jn 15:4).
"By its union with Christ, the People of the New Covenant, far from closing in upon itself, becomes a 'sacrament' for humanity,39 a sign and instrument of the salvation achieved by Christ, the light of the world and the salt of the earth (cf. Mt 5:13-16), for the redemption of all.40 The Church's mission stands in continuity with the mission of Christ: 'As the Father has sent me, even so I send you' (Jn 20:21). From the perpetuation of the sacrifice of the Cross and her communion with the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist, the Church draws the spiritual power needed to carry out her mission. The Eucharist thus appears as both the source and the summit of all evangelization, since its goal is the communion of mankind with Christ and in him with the Father and the Holy Spirit.41"
"By its union with Christ, the People of the New Covenant, far from closing in upon itself, becomes a 'sacrament' for humanity,39 a sign and instrument of the salvation achieved by Christ, the light of the world and the salt of the earth (cf. Mt 5:13-16), for the redemption of all.40 The Church's mission stands in continuity with the mission of Christ: 'As the Father has sent me, even so I send you' (Jn 20:21). From the perpetuation of the sacrifice of the Cross and her communion with the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist, the Church draws the spiritual power needed to carry out her mission. The Eucharist thus appears as both the source and the summit of all evangelization, since its goal is the communion of mankind with Christ and in him with the Father and the Holy Spirit.41"
Notes
39Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen
Gentium, 1.
40Cf. ibid., 9.
41Cf. Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Decree on the Life and Ministry of
Priests Presbyterorum Ordinis, 5. The same Decree, in No. 6, says: "No
Christian community can be built up which does not grow from and hinge on the
celebration of the most holy Eucharist."
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