Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ Reflection by Deacon Matt

Reflection for Feast of Corpus Christi: June 6, 2021

Exodus 24:3-8: In this powerful passage Moses teaches the people of Israel about God’s Covenant with them; sharing with them the words and ordinances of the Lord and the laws the people were commanded by God to follow. In reply, the people promise obedience. The passage describes the liturgy of blood sacrifice required in the Covenant with Moses for the atonement of sins and for loving and respectful sacrificial worship. Of course, this prefigures our current Christian Covenant, wherein Jesus’ own body and blood become the ultimate Sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and means of reconciling us with God. Jesus became the mediator of a new Covenant whereby both Jews and Gentiles are offered salvation and justification through faith in Jesus Christ and acceptance of His redemption of us.

Psalm 116: “I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.” The first stanza of this psalm expresses the psalmist’s gratitude to God and desire to participate in sacrificial offerings in atonement for sins and in gratitude to God for many blessings bestowed on the writer or psalmist. Next, this psalm celebrates God’s loving care for His people; including humble servants who submit to God’s Will. When the psalmist speaks of God’s having “loosed my bonds,” the writer may be referring to the bonds of sin or those of nations who conquered and subjugated Israel to occupation and enslavement. The last stanza of this psalm refers to the psalmist’s public confession of faith and gratitude and pledge of obedience to God. As we celebrate Corpus Christi Sunday it seems an appropriate time for us to renew publicly our own professions of faith, thanksgiving and obedience to God.

Hebrews 9:11-15: In this passage St. Paul confidently and with steadfast faith reminds us how in the new Covenant Jesus’ own blood becomes the new substance of sacrifice to replace the animal blood sacrifices required by the Covenant with Moses. St. Paul glorifies the power and efficacy of Jesus’ Sacrifice for gaining eternal redemption and salvation for us; Jews and Gentiles alike. Paul enthusiastically offers witness to the power of Jesus’ Sacrifice for sanctifying and healing those who are wounded or afflicted in any way; spiritually, mentally or physically. Paul concludes by proclaiming Jesus’ role as mediator of a New Covenant wherein we are offered an eternal inheritance of adoption as God’s children. As God’s children we are saved and redeemed via our Sacramental relationship of faith in Jesus and acceptance of His forgiveness and salvation.

Mark 14:12-16,22-26: In today’s Gospel for Corpus Christi Sunday, we celebrate the Body and Blood of Christ. St. Mark recounts Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist at the Passover meal; signaling the fulfillment of the covenant with Moses via our New Covenant with Jesus; wherein, as high priest, He sacrifices Himself. St. Mark relates that after sharing the bread and wine that Jesus offered them as His Body and Blood, they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. Soon after came Jesus’ Passion and death.

The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, “Corpus Christi Sunday,” is a good time for us to give thanks to God for the Sacrament of the Eucharist and for Jesus’ Sacrifice of Himself in order to serve as our Messiah, Savior and Redeemer. The Eucharist and the other Sacraments are for us, as Catholics and Christians, gateways for acceptance, in faith of Jesus’ love and mercy, His offer of salvation. We shall thank God, eternally for this precious gift!

Gratefully,
Deacon  Matt