Page:Book of common prayer (TEC, 1979).pdf/316

 An Exhortation

Beloved in the Lord: Our Savior Christ, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and  Blood as a sign and pledge of his love, for the continual  remembrance of the sacrifice of his death, and for a spiritual  sharing in his risen life. For in these holy Mysteries we are made one with Christ, and Christ with us; we are made one  body in him, and members one of another.

Having in mind, therefore, his great love for us, and in obedience to his command, his Church renders to Almighty  God our heavenly Father never&#8209;ending thanks for the  creation of the world, for his continual providence over us,  for his love for all mankind, and for the redemption of the  world by our Savior Christ, who took upon himself our flesh,  and humbled himself even to death on the cross, that he  might make us the children of God by the power of the Holy  Spirit, and exalt us to everlasting life.

But if we are to share rightly in the celebration of those holy Mysteries, and be nourished by that spiritual Food, we must  remember the dignity of that holy Sacrament. I therefore call upon you to consider how Saint Paul exhorts all persons to  prepare themselves carefully before eating of that Bread and  drinking of that Cup.

For, as the benefit is great, if with penitent hearts and living faith we receive the holy Sacrament, so is the danger great, if  we receive it improperly, not recognizing the Lord=s Body. Judge yourselves, therefore, lest you be judged by the Lord.