Gospel Reflection for Corpus Christi Sunday June 14th 2020 Feast of Corpus Christi
The Body and Blood of Jesus – Corpus Christi
Separated though we are from each other, we are still the Church, the People of God and the Body of Christ.
Although we are still unable to go our local church to celebrate the Eucharist, we are united to each other and in communion with Jesus through our faith, prayer and hope. It may feel like it, especially for those who are isolated, but we are in fact not alone. As Pope Francis reminds us, when we pray, we are never alone.
Today is Corpus Christi, the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our lives as followers of Jesus. The Eucharist calls and binds us together as disciples of Jesus. The Eucharist feeds, nurtures and nourishes us. As the gospel today tells us, ‘the bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world’. I truly believe that Jesus does not mean this as some general comment about the world ‘out there’. The Body and Blood that Jesus offers is given as his flesh for each of us personally and intimately; for you and for me.
To be honest, I think there is a real sadness today for many of us. For several months now we have been unable to go to church and celebrate the Eucharist with each other. Today of all days we should be together to celebrate this wonderful feast, but we are unfortunately unable to do so. Perhaps, ironically these days have strengthened our sense of belonging, community and of being connected to each other. We are connected to each other as we share in mass and other prayers online, through the radio and on our televisions. These can never be a substitute for being physically together as a faith community, but it is all we have at present. Let us not lose hope; there will come a time, eventually when we will gather with each other, pray our familiar prayers, sing our favourite hymns and receive the Body and Blood of Jesus together.
Now more than ever we are all in need of encouragement, support and even healing. As Pope Francis reminds us, ‘The Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and remedy for the weak.’ (The Joy of the Gospel: 47). As scientists work relentlessly for a vaccine to deal with the virus, the Eucharist is also offered to us a medicine for our daily and spiritual lives. While we can’t gather to celebrate the Eucharist these days, the day will come when we will. We will come together in faith, prayer and thanksgiving as parishes and faith communities.
Today, we are also asked to remember that as the followers of Jesus, we are the community of believers; we are the Body of Christ. Now more than ever these days as we pray from our homes, we are connected to each other and Jesus through our prayers and faith. We are not alone and we will never be alone. St. Paul in his letter to Corinthians, describes the early church as ‘The Body of Christ.’ He talks about the followers of Jesus as being deeply connected as they support, encourage and nurture each other. All parts of the Body are needed and valued as the living and vibrant Body of Christ. We are not only connected to each other; we are deeply and personally connected to and in union with Jesus.
Paul also reminds us, ‘If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share in its happiness.’ Today, let us pray for each other as members of the Body of Christ. Let us remain hopeful that soon we will be together in our churches to share in and receive The Body and Blood of Jesus.
– Br Michael Moore OMI
| Gospel for Corpus Christi Sunday June 14th | John 6:51-18 © |
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My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
Jesus said to the Jews:
I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.
Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;
and the bread that I shall give
is my flesh, for the life of the world.’
Then the Jews started arguing with one another:
‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ they said.
Jesus replied:
I tell you most solemnly,
if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man
and drink his blood, you will not have life in you.
Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood
has eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day.
For my flesh is real food
and my blood is real drink.
He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood
lives in me
and I live in him.
As I, who am sent by the living Father,
myself draw life from the Father,
so whoever eats me will draw life from me.
This is the bread come down from heaven;
not like the bread our ancestors ate:
they are dead,
but anyone who eats this bread
will live for ever.’
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