June 7, 2015: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water.
Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”‘ Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.  (Mark 14:12-16, 22-26)

Reflection:

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven,” Jesus says. All over the world today Corpus Christi is being celebrated. In some places, churches carry the Blessed Sacrament through the streets with banners and flowers. Why?
We are face to face with MYSTERY! What did Jesus mean when he said he was living bread? It may help to think about celebrations. How do you celebrate a birthday or do something special on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day? These celebrations usually include a meal, but are much more than an ordinary meal because relationships with family and other people we love are really important. We celebrate because words are not enough; food, song, gestures, and gifts add to the event. Corpus Christi is this kind of celebration—of the love that Jesus has for us and wants us to have for one another.
Jesus gives us his very self. In answer to our question, “Do you love me?” he reaches out his arms on the cross and says, “Yes, this much!” You and everyone else you see are the BODY of CHRIST. We have to let God use our mouths, hands, feet to LOVE.

Action:

Today we pray, “Jesus, may all that is You flow into me. May your body and blood be my food and drink. May the shadow of the cross be the shelter I seek. With you by my side, all is well.”