Page:The Eternal Priesthood (4th ed).djvu/105

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THE PRIEST'S HELPS.
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ought to be by contrition and piety, the sacramental grace of even one Communion would suffice to sanctify us in body, soul, and spirit. The virtues which go out from the presence of our Lord into our hearts are measured by our capacity to receive them; and that capacity is measured by our preparation, both remote and proximate: that is, by our preparation before we go to the altar, and by our habitual union with God. Our Lord said: "In that day ye shall know that I am in the Father, and ye in Me, and I in you."[1] "In that day," that is, "when I am in the glory of the Father, and the Holy Ghost is come. Then you shall know that you are by substantial Communion of My Body and Blood in Me, and I in you." This consciousness of the Divine Presence dwelling within and encompassing us without is a mutual indwelling promised in these words. It was this that S. Paul meant when he said, "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." He becomes the Guide of all our living powers. They are elevated by union with Him. As every beat of the heart and every breath we draw is prevented and sustained by His creative power, so He prevents all our thoughts, words, and works. Our freedom and our agency are made perfect by union with Him. He is the presiding and

  1. S. John xiv. 20.