From the Pastor’s desk
Today, we celebrate the solemnity of Corpus Christi, also known as the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ; this feast honors Jesus Christ, Really, Truly, and Substantially Present under the appearances of bread and wine. This Presence happens through the change which the Church calls transubstantiation (“change of substance”) when at the Consecration of the Mass, the priest says the words which Christ Himself pronounced over bread and wine, “This is My Body,” “This is the chalice of My Blood,” “Do this in remembrance of Me.”
The original celebration of the Body of Christ originated in the thirteenth century. It was promoted by one of our spiritual ancestors, St. Juliana of Liege, a visionary and an Augustinian nun.
When she was 16, she had a vision in which the Church was a full moon with a dark spot. The dark spot signified that the Church was missing a feast dedicated solely to the Body and Blood of Christ. Even though she had this vision several times, St. Juliana didn’t think she could do anything to help institute this feast. Therefore, she kept it a secret for many years. Once elected prioress, she finally told her confessor, who told the bishop. This eventually led to the universal feast of Corpus Christi.
The Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” (Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium, no. 11). In the Eucharist, Jesus Himself re-presents for our benefit His Sacrifice on Calvary (Luke 22:19-20), gives Himself to us in Holy Communion (John 6:1-14, 48-51), and remains among us until the end of the age (Luke 24:13-35; Mt. 28:18-20). He comes to us in this humble form, making Himself vulnerable out of love for each one of us. Yet, as God Himself, the Body and Blood of Christ deserve our utmost respect and love, as well as our adoration. St. Francis of Assisi said, “…In this world, I cannot see the Most High Son of God with my own eyes, except for His Most Holy Body and Blood.”
The Church gives us the Solemnity of Corpus Christi to remind us as adults of what we are doing and whom we are receiving as we approach the Eucharist. Today, let us pray for sincerity. We pray that we might be sincere in the commitment we make every time we go to receive communion.
May the Lord give you peace,
Friar Oscar Mendez, OFM
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