Now Is the Time
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w&m: Fr. Ricky Manalo, CSP; 1999
Choral arr.: Ricky Manalo & Gerard Chiusano

[Refrain]
Now is the time, (Now is the time,)
here in this space, (here in this space,)
we come to(we) share a meal from
(a)ancient days.(meal from ancient days.)
Gathered now in Christ,(gathered now in Christ,)gathered
here as one,(gathered here as one,)
we taste the banquet yet to come.

[Verse 1]
From age to age a people gathered in your name,
a story now remembered.
So the Spirit you have sent embraces from our past
a promise that will last.

[Refrain]

[Verse 2]
Now in the blessing and the breaking of the bread,
your presence dwells among us.
In the sharing of this meal, the love that you impart
now dwells within our hearts.

[Refrain]

[Verse 3]
And in the blessing and the drinking of the wine,
we come to learn our story.
In the richness of our lives,
the blood of Christ (The)outpoured(blood of Christ outpoured)
unites us with our Lord.

[Refrain]

[Verse 4]
There is a myst'ry of the path that lies ahead,
a journey still unfathomed.
May the myst'ry we(May the)behold(myst'ry we) be(behold)come
the light we(become)bear (the light we bear)
for all the world to share.

[Refrain]