Today is Corpus Christi, the feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus. We are celebrating the core and center of our catholic faith. We are celebrating a special feast. Every Sunday, we receive the body and blood of Jesus. Today we have the opportunity to meditate and reflect about the Eucharist. Corpus Christ is three feasts in one: First of all, Corpus Christi is an opportunity for us to deepen our faith in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. At the last supper, Jesus says to the apostles: Take this and eat it. This is my body….Take this and drink. This is my blood. Notice that Jesus did not say that this represents my body. It is my body. However, how many Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist! How many Catholics take time to honor the blessed sacrament?
Corpus Christ is also an opportunity to thank God for the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. To thank Jesus for all He did for us. In fact, Eucharist means thanksgiving. That is why we gather here every Sunday to thank God for the gift of the Eucharist.
Corpus Christi is the feast of Eucharistic sacrifice. It is the day we have to reflect about the sacrifice of Jesus. The question we need to ask ourselves is: Why did Jesus give us his body and blood? What is our response, our attitude to Jesus who gave his life for us? These are some questions we have to ask ourselves each time we receive the Eucharist.
May be the following story can give us more light on the questions. Many years ago when I was in Mexico, there was an elderly man (about 81 years old ) who used to come to daily Mass, after Mass he spent his time cleaning the church and watering the flowers before going home. One day I asked him to stop doing that because of his age, and I promised him to look for someone else. In reply, he said to me, “Father, in gratitude of what Jesus did and endured for us, I need to give back to God my time. I need to do something good. Cleaning the Church for one hour is nothing comparing to what Jesus suffered for us.”
Giving oneself. This is what Corpus Christi means. At the last supper, Jesus gives himself to us to eat and drink as a way to express his love for us, sacrificial love. He offers himself to us because He sees our weakness. He gives himself to us as spiritual food so that we can proclaim the good news. This is my blood, it will be shed for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins…….Do this in memory of me. He empowers us to love even our enemies, to serve, to forgive……
Also, He expects all who receive the Eucharist to do the same. Give them something to eat. Feeding the hungry, give hope to the oppressed, serving, ….. is the task to all of us…..to give part of the blessings we receive from God. No matter what the little you have.
