2020 Solemnity of Corpus Christi: reflection–Fr. John Marshall, St. John the Baptist, Milwaukie, OR
2My dear friends in Christ,
The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian Life! This statement from the Catechism of the Catholic Church possibly possess new meaning for all of us following the days when public Masses were suspended. It is true that we really don’t miss something until it has been taken away. Although none of us would have ever imagined that we would be deprived of Holy Communion, these past several months have demonstrated the opposite. This was a painful decision made by our bishops but was made out of an abundance of caution. Although many of the faithful were angry and troubled by this decision, as in all difficult moments, good can always come out of such times. Possibly, in these days in which you were not able to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus helped you to appreciate the gift and mystery you receive at every Mass. I would argue that most of us, including myself, have taken for granted the Eucharist. These days have helped me appreciate more the gift and mystery that I am able to celebrate and receive daily and hope it is the same for you too.
This Sunday the Church celebrates and contemplates another great mystery in this feast of Corpus Christi. This feast began many centuries ago to combat a dispute that attempted to deny our long-held belief as Catholics in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Inspired by the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas this feast gained popularity to defend the very promise of Jesus who on the night before He died took bread and said, this is my body, and in a similar way took a chalice full of wine and said, this is my blood. Jesus never lies. For the last 2000 years, the Catholic Church has taught and believed that in the celebration of Holy Mass, bread and wine become the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ. The Church has obeyed Jesus’ command to do this in memory of Him. What a mystery and gift that Jesus offers to us each day.
How we worship reflects this belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The celebration of Holy Mass is more than just a social event of the community, but rather a time when we can direct our minds and hearts to God. I often refer to the celebration of Holy Mass as a kiss from heaven because each time we celebrate Mass, heaven and earth are joined together. We are given a foretaste of heaven! When we come to Holy Communion, we are face to face with Jesus. When the priest lifts up the Sacred Host, he says: The Body of Christ!” Our “Amen” is our profession of the Real Presence. So don’t be shy or forgetful of saying loudly: “Amen” when you are given the body and blood of the Lord. I would also argue that how we receive Jesus at Holy Communion reflects our belief in the Real Presence.
This feast of Corpus Christi is not meant for us to attempt to explain how this is all possible that bread and wine can become the Body and Blood of the Lord. Instead, it is our annual declaration to each other and the world outside that Jesus is truly present in the Holy Eucharist and that is why the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian lives.
God bless you all!