Jesus gave us the Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion or the Lord's Supper) so that we could offer ourselves with Him to the Father.
Here's why:
* The Eucharist as a Sacrifice: The Catholic Church, and some other Christian denominations, believe the Eucharist is not merely a symbolic meal, but a true re-presentation of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation).
* Union with Christ: By partaking in the Eucharist, we are united with Christ's sacrifice and incorporated more fully into His body, the Church.
* Offering ourselves with Him: Because we are united with Christ through the Eucharist, we can offer our own lives, struggles, prayers, and work to the Father, along with Jesus' perfect sacrifice. It's a way of joining our small sacrifices to His immense one, making them acceptable and pleasing to God.
* His Command: At the Last Supper, Jesus instructed his disciples to "Do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19). This is interpreted as a command to continue the Eucharistic celebration, allowing future generations to participate in His sacrifice.
* Access to Grace: The Eucharist is considered a source of grace. When we partake of it in a worthy manner (free from mortal sin), we receive grace that helps us grow in holiness and live more fully as disciples of Christ.
So, the Eucharist is the specific gift that enables us to unite ourselves with Christ's sacrifice and offer ourselves with Him to the Father.