From the beginning, Jesus associated his Disciples with his own life, Revealed the Mystery of the Kingdom to them, and Gave them a Share in his Mission, Joy, and sufferings. 215 Jesus spoke of a still more intimate Communion between him and those who would Follow him: "Abide in me, and I in you.... I am the vine, you are the branches." 216 and he proclaimed a mysterious and real commUnion between his own body and ours: "He who eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood abides in me, and I in him." 217