Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi. While we in our country seem to minimize this feast, but in many countries it is a day of festival and true celebration for the Lord is with us.
The Eucharist, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes, “is the heart and summit of the Church’s life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to his Father; by his sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on his Body the Church.”
The Catechism continues to explain: “The Holy Eucharist is a sacramental sacrifice, memorial of Christ’s Passover, the work of salvation accomplished by the life, death and resurrection of Christ made present by the liturgical action at Mass. The Holy Eucharist is also the paschal banquet in which we participate which increases our union with Christ, separates us from sin, venial sins are forgiven and preserves us from grave sin, building unity among us and strengthening our bonds of charity reflected in outreach to the poor. The Holy Eucharist is also the pledge of future glory.” (CCC1324-1419) That is a pretty awesome description of what we ought to celebrate.
In our first reading from Genesis Melchizadek reminds us that in the Old Testament bread and wine were seen as gifts from God to whom praise and thanks were to be given in return. Luke’s gospel today describes the miracle of Jesus multiplying loaves of bread suggesting that no one need lack the spiritual nourishment Jesus offers, though many do by personal choice. St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians, which was written before the Gospels, is the earliest description the miracle of bread and wine being transformed into the Lord Himself.
Essential for us to be transformed by our receiving Christ in the Holy Eucharist is our acceptance in faith that when the words of consecration are spoken the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ; it is a beautiful mystery. “My flesh is real food, my blood is true drink,” Jesus said. Do we believe him? St. Cyril of Alexandria wrote: “do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Savior in faith for since he is the truth, he cannot lie. When he offers himself as our food and drink, he expresses love at its most intimate.”
I have noted on many occasions that what motivated me to become Catholic was God’s call experienced through the opening of my heart to the reality of Our Lord’s presence in the Holy Eucharist. Once I accepted the mysterious reality of the Real Presence, I could not stay away. As many converts have put it, I had to come home.
Someone recalled being at the beautiful National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. A group of people were leaving having just received Holy Communion. By doing so if truly disposed we become in a way one body which ought to lead to practical ways of caring about one another. They were talking among themselves and passed by a blind man who had received Holy Communion with them. He was walking along, tapping his cane for direction as they went by. Those in the group paid no attention to him so into themselves were they. Then one of them stepped on his cane, bending it. He and the group just moved on. The blind man was left alone trying to straighten his cane which was a lifeline for him. The observer remarked that after receiving Holy Communion when it came to everyday life they did not form his body.
One of the old traditions of the Church was that when someone passed by a Catholic church the hat would be tipped, the head bowed or the sign of the cross would be made in recognition that Our Lord is present there in the Blessed Sacrament. That might be a tradition worthy to bring back. It is the reason we genuflect or bow when we come here for Mass. Sadly a certain lack of respect has crept into our routines and sometimes we do not carry out into the world the grace received here.
The story is told of King Frederick of Prussia who was a Protestant being shown through a Cathedral by one of his Catholic generals. As they passed the tabernacle the general explained our belief that Jesus himself is present there. The general did not genuflect or show any sign of respect as they passed or as they left the Church. The King said ”General, I am ashamed of you. You believe that this is your God, yet you pass the tabernacle without the least sign of homage. Why, you would not pass me without the customary salute, and I am an earthly king. You know what I would do if I were a Catholic with such a grand belief? I would get down on my knees and I would draw myself from here to the tabernacle and falling on my face I would cry out: “O King, have mercy on me a sinner.”
I was in Rome on this feast day a few years ago and was particularly moved by observing Pope Benedict kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament as a procession in the heart of that ancient city made its way. Adoration flows from and leads to the Mass, so by celebrating Mass we too participate in such a spiritual precession’
I encourage those who are unable to receive the Holy Eucharist at Mass to enter into a spiritual communion as a way of desiring to be one with Christ.
An orphan boy was examined by a doctor. When he returned to the orphanage a nun asked him what the doctor said, “What an ugly little specimen you are”, the boy said sadly. He paused and then added, “But Sister I don’t think he knew that I had received my first communion.” A little girl watched her mother receive Holy Communion. When her mom returned to the pew, the little girl asked, ‘when will it be my turn to have lunch with God.” A simple but uplifting thought.
The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, what an amazing and powerful gift of God’s love, when we believe He is truly present and when we are transformed into seeing Christ in those around us. Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. We Lord for you say the word to heal our souls.