Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

06-19-2022Weekly ReflectionFr. Arul Doss

Dear people of God,

Happy Father’s Day to all who are fathers or grandfathers or stepfathers! Five weeks ago, we observed Mother’s Day and offered Mass for our moms. Today, on this Father’s Day, we are doing the same – offering our dads, living or dead, on the altar of God during this Holy Mass and invoking our Heavenly Father’s blessings on them.

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). The Body and Blood of Christ (the Eucharist), is the most excellent gift ever given to us by Christ. It also shows how much God loves and cares for both our temporal and spiritual welfare. Therefore, what we celebrate today is the sacramental presence of Christ in his Church.

Today’s second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us of the depths of love our Lord has shown us in the gift of the Eucharist, recalling Christ’s words at the very first Eucharistic celebration. “The Lord Jesus… took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you.’” In that moment, and at every celebration of the Mass thereafter, Jesus gives us His very self in an act of complete humility and perfect love.

Our Gospel reading from Luke recounts the miraculous multiplication of the loaves and fishes when Jesus took the small offering of the five loaves and two fish and produced enough to satisfy the whole crowd with twelve baskets full of leftovers. This event is widely understood as a foreshadowing of the miracle that takes place at every Mass as the words of consecration are spoken by the celebrant and God transforms bread and wine into the Precious Body and Blood of Jesus.

Finally, what Christ offers us is His real body and blood, real food and real drink which is the mystery and core of our faith. In the Holy Eucharist, Christ draws us closer to himself. Christ is present with us in the Holy Eucharist as the head of the Church. As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, let us receive the gift of the Eucharist with the greatest possible reverence and love.

Have a Happy and Blessed Sunday!