The Body and Blood of Christ

 The Body and Blood of Christ June 02, 2024

Exodus 24:3-8; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

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One day there was little Italian wedding in a parish.  The regular priest was away and the assistant conducted the wedding. After the wedding there was rain and the place they had arranged was in the open and far away. So they went to the young priest and asked whether they could use the church for short reception.  The priest knowing his boss well refused. But they insisted and even cried and being man of kind heart he permitted on condition there should be no drinks and no dancing since it is the church. They happily promised.  But as the party progressed all promises were forgotten and some wine and some dancing started. To their misfortune the Parish Priest arrived early. He called the young priest and shouted at him. The young man apologised and said after all they were poor and we had to help.  Then he reasoned out how at Cana Jesus was there at the wedding and he worked miracle and they had lot of wine and surely dancing too.  The priest looked at him and said well true Jesus was there. But there was no Blessed sacrament in that place. Just think Jesus there.

Today marks the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist is perceived within the church as a communal sacrificial meal, conducted by the congregation and the priest, offered to the Heavenly Father and Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, expressing gratitude and thanksgiving. Inherently, the Eucharist is a communal act, with each attendee expected to actively participate alongside the presiding priest. It represents a sacrifice made by the Christian community to God. Sacrifice inherently means relinquishing something valued, thus entailing pain. It also necessitates an offering. In the Eucharist, Jesus sacrifices himself and his life out of love for us, his friends, a sacrifice he consummates on the cross by wholly offering himself to God. This act is both a sacrifice by the giver and a gift to the receiver. Jesus employs the symbol of a MEAL to signify his presence, emphasizing the social aspect inherent in every meal. Our celebrations, whether religious or secular, invariably conclude with a meal.

Today's First Reading from the book of Exodus describes one of the most solemn covenant bindings. It presents the dramatic narrative of Israel's covenant with God. Moses, having received the Law and commandments from God on Mount Sinai, presented them to the people, outlining the covenant's terms and expectations. He conveyed God's demands and the anticipated response. Unitedly, they declared, "We will observe all the commands that the Lord has decreed." This vow was solidified through a solemn ritual. Moses constructed an altar at the mountain's base and surrounded it with twelve pillars, symbolizing God and the twelve tribes of Israel, respectively.

As we reflect on the significance of the Eucharist, we are drawn into deeper communion with Christ and with one another. The Eucharist is not only a memorial of Christ’s sacrifice but a means of encountering His living presence. In receiving the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and with the entire body of believers, forming one mystical body, the Church.

Corpus Christi Sunday reminds us of the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of the Church and in our personal spiritual journey. It is a time to renew our devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to deepen our understanding of its significance. Through the Eucharist, we are nourished spiritually, strengthened in our faith, and empowered to live as disciples of Christ in the world.

Furthermore, the Feast of The Body and Blood of Christ invites us to reflect on the call to service and self-giving love. Just as Christ offered Himself freely for the salvation of humanity, so too are we called to imitate His example of sacrificial love. The Eucharist compels us to go forth and be the hands and feet of Christ in the world, serving those in need and working for justice and peace.

In a world marked by division, violence, and indifference, the Eucharist reminds us of our shared humanity and our call to solidarity and communion. As we gather around the altar to receive the body and blood of Christ, we are reminded that we are all members of the same family, beloved children of God.

Moreover, Corpus Christi Sunday challenges us to examine our own lives and to strive for greater holiness and virtue. The Eucharist calls us to conversion, inviting us to repent of our sins and to turn towards God with open hearts. Through the grace of the Eucharist, we are empowered to live lives of integrity, compassion, and humility, bearing witness to the love of Christ in all that we do.

As we celebrate the Feast of The Body and Blood of Christ, let us approach the altar with hearts full of gratitude and reverence. May we be transformed by the mystery of the Eucharist and renewed in our commitment to follow Christ faithfully. And may we, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, recognize the presence of the risen Lord in the breaking of the bread, and go forth to proclaim the good news to all the world.

Let us embrace the profound mystery of the Eucharist with humility and awe, and may this Feast of Corpus Christi inspire us to deepen our faith, to live lives of service and love, and to bear witness to the presence of Christ in our midst. 

Happy Feast


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