January 27

Fourth Week in Advent.—Friday

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Romans 12:5.

THE fourth use of the Holy Communion is union with one another in Christ. As the Church is called in Holy Scripture the "Body of Christ," all the members must be joined to it and to one another, or else it would not be a true living and perfect body; and the Holy Communion is the means by which we are united to one another, because by receiving Christ in that blessed Sacrament each of us is made a part of Him. And as a wife becomes one flesh with her husband, and thereby becomes related to all his kindred in the same degree that he is himself, so the soul which is joined to Christ in the holy Sacrament is united at the same time to the whole body of the faithful, living and departed, and to each member of that body. Two things flow from this union; first, a duty; second, a benefit. Every communicant becomes bound to pray for and help all other Christians so far as he can, and he has in his turn a full share in all the spiritual blessings acquired by the prayers of the whole body.

One family, we dwell in Him, One Church above, beneath, Though now divided by the stream, The narrow stream of death.

One army of the Living God, To His command we bow, Part of the host have crossed the flood, And part are crossing now.

Praised be the God alone Who hath made of two folds one.