TRINITY ix
WHEN we exchange between us the words of the
sursum
corda, the lifting of our hearts to the Lord will be more than a pious
aspiration, it will be a divine fact. The sacrament is the presence
of Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ is in heaven. He stoops to us in
this Sacrament, as he does through his whole incarnation; but he stoops
to lift us to himself. In a true mystery, not in edifying fancy,
we are with him in that divine place. There is the whole Church of
God; there are the saints who pray for us in their glory, and there by
the power of hope are the souls, for whom we pray that they may speedily
be joined with the saints. The saints, the souls departed and the
Church on earth in every place are one life and one prayer through Christ
their high priest. The effort, in mutual communion, of each spirit
living or departed is requisite for the perfection of the Body of Christ.
All are the support of each, and the whole hangs upon heaven in a point
which is the Lord Jesus.
