Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Cycle A, Year I)
Community Word:
The gifts of the Holy Spirit strengthen our commitment to serve God.
Theme:
We are strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit when we are nourished daily by God’s living word.
Promise:
“The one who feeds on me will have life.” (Jn 6:57b)
Reflection:
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The liturgical readings point to three aspects of this essential mystery of our faith – the Real Presence, the Eucharist as source of our unity, and the Eucharist as nourishment for our soul. Christ is truly present in the Eucharist by His promise and power. His real presence is the center and heart of our spirituality, giving us spiritual nourishment and unique strength.
In the Eucharist, Jesus manifests a special kind of closeness, nearness and intimacy – “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him: (Jn 5:56). Such mutual indwelling, a highly favored experience, is impossible to imagine by mere perception. It is a very deep and intimate union with Jesus and the Father, a union which does well and grows into a life lived in love. It is the mystery of faith that brings together the teachings of Jesus, his passion, resurrection and his unconditional promise of eternal life to those who believe.
As followers of Christ, we are told – “what you hear in secret, proclaim to the housetops.” God speaks to us as we ponder on His word. We must listen to what God says in our hearts and minds and proclaim it, even if it is not easy. The theme for this week encourages us – We are strengthened by the gifts of the Holy Spirit when we are nourished daily by God’s living word. We will be judged according to the Truth we know about Christ, especially on various opportunities where we can share His word and glorify Him in those circumstances. We will indeed receive our reward for faithful service, as Jesus assured us: “If you acknowledge me before men I will do so for you before my heavenly Father,” (Mt 10:32).
Our faith tells us that it was Jesus who instituted the Eucharist for us: “This is my Body given up for you… do this in remembrance of me,” (Lk 22:19). Jesus offers his body to us as an act of perfect love. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit and by our bodies, we enter into a meaningful relationship with God, as we well as with one another. Receiving the Eucharist is not only about entering into a personal relationship with Christ, but also in fellowship and communion with one another through Christ. The Eucharist is the sacrament of love and unity which builds up and gives life to our community, the Church, as a whole. It is for this reason that as we are nourished by the Body and Blood of Jesus, we are able to stand united as witnesses to the Lord of Life to many unbelievers.
The Holy Eucharist is not reserved for the perfect, but it is given to all to help us in the journey of life. As we partake of the Body of Jesus, we must in turn be considerate and generous, especially to those who are in need. As Jesus gives himself to us and gives us life, we should also share this gift to others. In the second reading, St. Paul explains: “Because the loaf of bread is one, we though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf,” (1Cor 10:17).
On the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus, let us remain and persevere to be a community of faith, with open hearts and hands to those among us who are poor and deprived. Being so, we put into action our own Eucharistic existence as an individual and as a community. As we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we are strengthened by his presence in our hearts and we are able to give ourselves to others as he did for us. This is the way to peace, joy and eternal life as his promise this week: “The one who feeds on me will have life,” (Jn 6:57b).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we worship, glorify and honor you as your Holy Presence lives in and among us through the Sacrament of your Body and Blood. By your kindness and generosity, we offer to our Father in heaven a solemn pledge of undivided love. Grant us the grace to give to our brothers and sisters a life poured out in loving service. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body & Blood of Christ, in what ways can you demonstrate your deep faith and belief in the Holy Eucharist?
2. Do you receive Holy Communion as often as possible? Do you experience spiritual growth and transformation in your life? Share your experience.
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
June 18, 2017 (Sun) – Dt 8:2, 3, 14-16/Ps 147:12-15, 19-20/1Cor 10:16, 17/Jn 6:51-58
June 19, 2017(Mon) – 2 Cor 6:1-10/Ps 98:1-47/Mt 5:38-42
June 20, 2017(Tues) – 2 Cor 8:1-9/Ps 146:2, 5-9/Mt 5:43-48
June 21, 2017(Wed) – 2 Cor 9:6-11/ps 112:1-4, 9/Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
June 22, 2017 (Thur) -2 Cor 11:1-11/Ps 111:1-4, 7, 8/Mt 6:7-15
June 23, 2017 (Fri) – Dt 7:6-11/Ps 103:1-4, 6-8, 10/1Jn 4:7-16/Mt 11:25-30
June 24, 2017(Sat) – Is 49:1-6/Ps 139:1-3, 13-15/acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66, 80
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
