Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ (year c)
Genesis 14:18-20 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Luke 9:11b-17
Theme: The power in the Eucharist
Today the church celebrates the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). This celebration reminds us of the place of the Eucharist in our lives. The three readings of today, present to us the memorial Jesus left for us. It is a memorial of absolute self-giving, like we see from today’s first reading and the gospel. There is the need for us to imbibe that culture of self-giving. Jesus in the Eucharist, gives us himself whole and entire, his Body and Blood. The Eucharist is the summit of our faith, the Eucharist is our life. The Eucharist is supreme, as it concerns our worship of God as Catholics. My brothers and sisters in Christ, what does the Eucharist mean to you as a person? Do you feel God’s presence as you partake of the Eucharistic table, as you come into the church, as you come into his presence, as you receive Him? Dear friends in Christ, does the Eucharist mean anything to you? Some of us unfortunately do not see the Eucharist the way we ought to, while for some others the Eucharist is part of our liturgy and there is nothing much to it.
Thus, some of us attend Mass and are comfortable not partaking of the table of the Lord. While for some others, they cannot partake of the table of the Lord because they have not gone for the Sacrament of reconciliation. If we realize what it means to partake of the table of the Lord, we will strive at all times to ensure that we are in a state of grace to receive the Eucharist at Mass. Dear friends in Christ, the Eucharist is our Life and what we need as children of God. The Eucharist is the highest form of prayer in the church. It brings about God’s real presence in our midst. The Eucharist is imbued with love, with self-giving; in the Eucharist Jesus gives us himself whole and entire and He encourages us to also do same for one another. So, today’s celebration invites us to resolve and do all within our power to make the Eucharist part of our lives. Let us do all within our power to always partake of the table of the Lord at all times.
For the Eucharist brings forth healing, it presents to us the grace of forgiveness, the fullness of God’s presence in our lives and families. The Eucharist empowers us, it strengthens us and grants us the graces we need to live like true children of God. My brothers and sisters in Christ, today in some parts of the world, Jesus is taken round the town in procession; proclaiming him as the king. Thus, the question today is who is your king? If Jesus is your King, then the Eucharist becomes part of your life. In view of this, we are encouraged today to enthrone Jesus as our King if he is not already, give him a chance to be part of your life and watch him transform you into what he wants you to become. The God we serve is a faithful God and has giving us the Eucharist as a memorial of his passion. In the passion of Christ is our salvation. In the Eucharist, we meet God. Dear friends in Christ, as we celebrate the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ today, let us resolve to be more serious with the Eucharist. Such that, we always prepare ourselves to partake of the table of the Lord by availing of ourselves the Sacrament of reconciliation at all times.
The Eucharistic Jesus is a necessity in our lives. It is our duty to ensure that he is always present in our lives at all times. His presence in our lives will drive far from us all that is not of God.
Our prayer today is that God in his goodness and love will grant us the graces we need to be true representatives of the Eucharistic Jesus. Peace be with you!