Corpus Christi Reflection

SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI

Exodus 24:3-8: In reflection this week, we ponder that Moses shared with the people, “the words and ordinances of the Lord;” and the people verbally accepted them. What follows comprises a Covenant Ceremony, or in other words; a liturgy of sacrifice, in which Moses and the people celebrate their Covenant with God. As part of this liturgy, Moses reads the book of the Covenant aloud to the people and they respond with a verbal profession of faith in acceptance of and obedience to the Law of the Covenant. Let’s contemplate this week that when we recite the Creed during Sunday Mass, we celebrate our Covenant with God, through Jesus’ Sacrifice of Himself on the Cross for our Salvation! We verbally profess and affirm our faith and commitment to God whenever we recite the Creed. Let’s not lose sight of that!

Psalm 116: “I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the Name of the Lord.” This psalm is a perfect song of celebration for the enormous gift we partake in when we attend Mass and receive our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament! As the priest elevates the Eucharistic bread and wine, he truly takes up the Body and Blood of Christ and verily calls upon the Name of the Lord!  Such holiness envelopes us during the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ! Once again, we must never take this for granted. We truly believe in the Divine Presence in the Eucharist! Reflect this week that at the Eucharist, our prayers and our sufferings and triumphs become part of the Holy Sacrifice in that cup, when we offer them to God, in union with Jesus’ own Sacrifice of Himself on the Cross and in every Mass. We aren’t just observers; we’re part of the Sacrifice and the Triumph of the Lord’s Resurrection.

Hebrews 9:11-15: This passage offers opportunity for a lifetime of contempl-ation on the mystery of Jesus’ Euchar-istic Presence in the Holy Eucharist. St. Paul alludes to Jesus’ fulfillment of the Mosaic Covenant within Himself and the offering of His own blood; as the “unblemished Lamb of God!” Paul reverently recognizes Jesus as “High Priest;” offering Himself as the perfect Sacrifice of Redemption for us all. Let’s take time to contemplate this and celebrate with St. Paul and all the saints, how Jesus’ Sacrifice of Himself “cleans-es our consciences from dead works… to worship the living God!” In other words, we celebrate this week Jesus’ healing and redemption of all who will believe in Him and accept His free offer of for-giveness for our sins and eternal re-demption. May we all place our hope and our trust in Jesus!

Mark 14:12-16, 22-26: On this vitally important solemnity, we recall the how Jesus’ and His disciples’ last celebration of the Passover meal became the first Eucharistic celebration of our Lord’s Presence. We’re told how Jesus myster-iously made plans for the solemn cele-bratory meal. The disciples, on carrying out Jesus’ instruction, found situations exactly as Jesus had described.

Now, we witness the first “Mass;” or celebration of the first Eucharist; when Jesus, (and later, the priest), confects Jesus’ own Substance and Presence into the Eucharistic bread and wine. Now, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ! Today’s celebration is meant to be a great reminder that we must never take our Lord’s Divine Presence in the Eucharist for granted. Let’s worship and adore Him!

Lovingly,
Deacon Matt