SELECT HEREfor the Audio recording of the Readings of June 14th, 2020. Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).
SELECT HEREfor the Readings of June 14th, 2020. Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
SELECT HEREfor addional understanding of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).
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Sunday, June 14th, 2020. Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
"Do not forget the LORD, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that place of slavery; who guided you through the vast and terrible desert with its saraph serpents and scorpions, its parched and waterless ground; who brought forth water for you from the flinty rock and fed you in the desert with manna, a food unknown to your fathers." Deuteronomy 8: 11-15
True Presence is not enough
What past events do you remember, events which assist you to shape a good future? (Think for a moment and make yourself a mental list.)
The first reading this weekend is from the Book of Deuteronomy. This book is written in the form of a ‘Last testament’. Picture Moses (the figurative author of Deuteronomy) as an old great grandfather of the nation of Israel, writing his last words of wisdom and advice for his people. They are to strictly adhere and obey if the nation were to stay intact. The book is written in a preaching tone: lots of appeals, warnings, threats, repetitions and encouraging. One thing above all must be done- ‘remain faithful to God’ (the need for fidelity) and the covenantal relationship with God. A society shaped by God’s Law will always be well grounded.
But why the preoccupation? What pitfalls must the Israelites be alerted to? Firstly, the desert experience will be a test. They are to worship no foreign gods, but Yahweh alone. No idolatry. They must remain faithful to their own.
What ‘idols’ do you see in the world today that a Christian must be wary about?
The other danger is prosperity. The New land that the Israelite nation shall occupy is rich and abundant. Many will have guaranteed security, but let this not make them lax with God and the commandments. Comfort and prosperity must not make them ‘forget’. Remembrance leads to obedience, forgetfulness might lead to pride. Hence the words: “Do not forget the Lord your God…” and “Not by bread alone does one live but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord”. Remaining faithful to God’s law will shape a good future for the people.
Do we too forget God? Are we carried away by the many things that busy us? What things might these be for you? How might keeping the memory of God’s saving interventions in your life, forge and shape your everyday interactions with others?
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." (John 6: 51)
Is Jesus asking us to be cannibals? Why the seemingly pervasive language? Eat my flesh? Drink my blood? What does this all mean?
‘Bread’ refers to the identity of Jesus. ‘Flesh’ and ‘Blood’ refer to life. Jesus challenges his listeners to assimilate his way of life, just as one would food. With Jesus in us, we have his life giving presence. We must bring this life giving presence to others. Receiving Jesus is to make us contagious- We are individually reshaped, but as we interact with others, we transmit Christ’s life.
It is not enough to receive Christ and be in the presence of God, but communion must effect something in us- to grow, mature and share the life of Christ with others and as we do, we truly become ‘Corpus Christi’ (the Body of Christ)
Do those who meet you, see Christ in you? Do your actions and words tell?
Happy Feast of Corpus Christi. Fr. Anthony
SELECT HEREfor addional understanding of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi).
View the below video for another Reflection on the readings.
Mass: Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), June 14th, 2020