True Christian Religion (Chadwick) n. 725

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725. VII

Those who worthily approach the Holy Supper are in the Lord and the Lord is in them. Thus it is through the Holy Supper that they are linked with the Lord.

I have shown in several of the preceding chapters that it is those who possess faith in the Lord and charity towards the neighbour that worthily approach the Holy Supper; and that the truths of faith bring about the Lord's presence, and the good of charity together with faith brings about linking. It follows from this that those who worthily approach the Holy Supper are linked with the Lord; and those who are linked with the Lord are in Him and He is in them. The Lord Himself clearly states that this happens to those who approach worthily in this passage of John:

He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I him. John 6:56.

Elsewhere in the same gospel He teaches us that this is linking with the Lord:

Remain in me, and I too in you. If someone remains in me and I in him, he bears much fruit. John 15:4, 5; and Rev. 3:20.

What does linking with the Lord mean but being among those who are in His body? And His body is made up of those who believe in Him and do His will. His will is the exercise of charity in accordance with the truths of faith.


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