The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Today we celebrate the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi, one of the oldest feasts of the Church. The first thought that usually comes to mind when we consider the Body and Blood of Christ is the Eucharist. And this is right. The Eucharist is the greatest of our seven sacraments. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that, “the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.” (CCC 1324).

Another important aspect of Corpus Christi is community. When we receive the Eucharist and when Christ becomes part of us, we are united as Church. “Those who receive the Eucharist are united more closely to Christ. Through it Christ unites them to all the faithful in one body - the Church. Communion renews, strengthens, and deepens this incorporation into the Church, already achieved by Baptism. In Baptism we have been called to form but one body. The Eucharist fulfills this call” (CCC 1396).

Individually each one of us is united to Christ through the Eucharist. God is present in the bread and wine we receive and God is present in each one of us. When we receive the Body and Blood of Christ, Christ becomes part of us. In John 6:51,54,56 Jesus said “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever; . . . he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and . . . abides in me, and I in him.”

And, finally, Eucharist means thanksgiving. In thanksgiving for the loving sacrifice Jesus made for us, consider saying the following novena prayer for Corpus Christi found in Catholic Culture (www.catholicculture.org):

O Lord Jesus Christ,

You who have given us

Your precious Body and Blood

to be our meat and drink,

grant that through frequent reception

of You in the Holy Eucharis

I may be strengthened in mind and body

to do Your holy will.

Amen.

Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us.