NOT JUST ABOUT EATING
Solemn Feast of Corpus Christi
There is always something
attractive and mystifying about Communion. If we are filled with faith, we know that this bread is no
ordinary food. This bread has been
proclaimed by Jesus, “my body” in the same way that the wine has been
pronounced by him, through the priest, “my blood.” Catholics believe this strongly, and so at Mass seek to be
nourished by both the Word of God and the Body and Blood of Christ.
This is also what the gospel
today tells us. Jesus wants to be
remembered through the one celebration he himself requires done his honor, “do
this in memory of me.” How truly blessed we are that we are in contact with a
God who is not invisible, abstract and distant. Here is our God who comes to us so concretely and intimately
that he gives us his very self as our spiritual food.
We have this faith mentioned in
Scriptures and attested by the history and practice of the church from its
beginning. But is the Eucharist
only about receiving the Body of the Lord? Is it also just about visiting the Blessed Sacrament in our
adoration chapel? There is much
more to Communion than just the act of eating and partaking of the Bread of
Angels or of kneeling before It.
First, let us remember that to
receive the Body of Christ is to be convinced that we are renewed by what we
receive. As the second reading from Hebrews tells us, Jesus’ sacrifice cleanses
our consciences, our souls. He
changes our lives.
But then do we see this change
happening in us? After Communion,
do we consciously believe that we are transformed and thus empowered to
continue living a new life?
Consider your daily actions, thoughts and words. Are they really affected by this
encounter with the Body of Christ you receive?
Second, we need to remember that
to receive Christ’s Body is to begin to see Him in others. If you can perceive him in the lowly
form of bread, how much more must you see him in the lofty nature of your
brothers and sisters. The early
Christians knew that to receive Communion was to live a life of service. Mother Teresa told her sisters to touch
with care the Body of Christ and to touch with the same sensitive love the
broken body of the poor and suffering.
Again, how successful are we in
living this out? Many times, we
receive Communion and yet we are so distant from each other. We hurt each other
in many ways. We fail to acknowledge God present in the people we do not like.
On this solemn feast of the Body
and Blood of Christ let us beg for the grace to live renewed lives as Christ
enters our hearts and to offer our lives in acts of love and service to the
people who need our compassion and understanding.
