THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (Year B). (June 2, 2024).
(Ex 24:3-8, Heb 9:11-15, Mk 14:12-16, 22-26).
“…Take…eat…this IS my body…Take and drink…This IS my blood…”
Introduction: The feast and its objectives: Today, we celebrate the solemn feast of Corpus Christi. It is three feasts in one: the feast of the Eucharistic sacrifice, the feast of the Sacrament of the Eucharist and the feast of the Real Presence of Jesus.
Significance/Importance: It is a feast established by Pope Urban called “Corpus Christi”, and extended to the universal Church for three purposes: 1) to give God collective thanks for Christ’s abiding presence with us in the Eucharist and to honor him there; 2) to instruct the people in the Mystery, Faith, and devotion surrounding the Eucharist, and 3) to teach us to appreciate and make use of the great gift of the Holy Eucharist, both as a Sacrament and as a sacrifice. Although we celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist on Holy Thursday, our mother the Church wants to emphasize its importance by a special feast, formerly called “Corpus Christi.”
Life Message: Today’s Gospel details how Jesus converted this ancient ritual into a Sacrament and sacrifice. Instead of the lamb’s blood, Jesus offered his own Divine/human Body and Blood, and instead of sprinkling us with blood, Jesus put It into our hands as food and drink: "Take … eat … this IS my Body which will be given up for you" (He did not say "This represents my body”), and “Take … drink …This IS … my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal Covenant, which will be poured out for you, and for many (nor did He say, “This represents my blood…”) for the forgiveness of sins”.
Summary: Today’s first reading describes how Moses, by sprinkling the blood of a sacrificed animal on the altar and on the people, accepted the Covenant Yahweh proposed and made with His People. In the second reading, St. Paul affirms that Jesus sealed the New Covenant with his own Blood, thereby putting an end to animal sacrifices.
Conclusion: 1) Let us appreciate the “Real Presence” of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, by receiving Him with true repentance for our sins, due preparation, and reverence. 2) Let us be Christ-bearers and conveyers: How? By receiving Holy Communion, we become Christ-bearers as Mary was, with the duty of conveying Christ to others at home-homebound ministry-, in the workplace, and everywhere else, through love, mercy, forgiveness, and humble, self-giving, sacrificial service.
Therefore, as we gather at this Eucharistic Feast of the Corpus Christi, let us offer our lives on the altar along with Jesus’ sacrifice, asking pardon for our sins, expressing gratitude and thanks, for the blessings we have received and presenting our needs and petitions on the altar. And as we actively participate, let these words of Christ always resonate in our minds and hearts: “…Take…eat…this IS my body…Take and drink…This IS my blood…”
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