The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A - Sunday, June 14, 2020. EPISODE 233

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A - Sunday, June 14, 2020 EPISODE 233 

Readings for

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16

Ps 147:12-15, 19-20 "Praise the Lord, Jerusalem!"
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

The sequence of the Body and Blood of Christ.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION, (John 6:51-52).Alleluia, alleluia! I am the living Bread from heaven, says the Lord. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
GOSPEL: John 6:51-58

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 1041144766. Sanctuary of Caravaggio (BG), ITALY - 24-8-2016. Mosaic : The last supper. By Macthia 

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Please listen to our audio recordings of the readings, prayers and reflections for The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A - Sunday, June 14, 2020, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-body-and-blood-of-christ-a-2020-episode-233  (EPISODE: 233)
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Prologue:  "Hungry hearts are all around us. Those mourning the loss of a loved one, those in need of a job, people desperate for solid advice, people unable to curb an addiction, those who are angry and bitter, people who feel unforgiven or unforgiving, ….   Those in poor health, or people worried about finances, or unhappy in a relationship, … and people who are unsure of their commitments, or being too hard on themselves, … and people who are afraid of the world around them, …….The list goes on and on. These are the people Jesus offers to feed—--   Jesus offers us himself –real food for our lifelong journey….. and he offers us his word and his vision of the Kingdom… a real nourishment for the values that will completely transform us and satisfy us…. He promises to be with us in the ups and downs of life – he who is with us…  our faithful and loving God.
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Homily by Fr. Peter Dillon:

Body and Blood of Christ -Year A   2020

Certainly, one of the great memories I have of the Feast of Corpus Christi (also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, established by Papal decree in 1264) is a reminder of my First Communion day. For many years this was the traditional day for young people to make their first communion. You may be thinking what a good memory I have to remember that far back, but there are significant events in all our lives that we will never forget, and this was certainly one of them. As a curious 7-year-old at the time, I was probably less interested in the theological significance of the transformed elements of bread and wine than I was of the taste of the wafer, the speed with which we were expected to swallow the dry circle of plastic-like substance and the child-like question of 'why couldn't we drink from the chalice?". Back in 1963 that was a privilege only allowed to the priest celebrant.

 

But in many ways, it was one of those life-changing experiences that made me look around at the reverence of the adults who received the host and the clear atmosphere that something wonderful was happening here and that I was now able to be part of the community that shared in this special way with what was taking place on the altar.

I felt not only included but encouraged. I was worthy now of a place at the table. I had learned and earned what it meant to belong to this group of people who were my faith community. I was no longer alone in the desert but called to share in the food that God was offering to those ready to step up to be a greater part of the journey.

 

Over the years since then, my understanding of what took place back then has ripened with a more profound understanding and has become a nourishing sustenance that is as much a challenge as it is a comfort.

 

Encouragement is one of the most precious gifts one can receive. This feast day speaks of food in the desert (First Reading); a deep sense of belonging to others and with others (Second Reading); and a life that lasts for eternity (Gospel)

 

Today we think of that mysterious presence of the divine in our lives, and the way in which that divine presence leads us forward to the Promised Land. Such imagery evokes much of the history of the exodus.

As we come to the Eucharist on a regular basis we bring with us the desert of our own existence. Each of us knows times of aridness when we seem to be in trackless wastes and have no purpose and little hope. The exodus of the chosen people is a key which can help us unlock the meaning of our own existence. The Christian way is often a desert experience, and the desert image is one that comes from the Old Testament and has played a significant role in Christian centuries in the lives and the wise sayings of the 'Desert Fathers and Mothers'. There are times and places when we seem to be without strength and resources. But still, the divine presence guides and supports us.

Jesus Christ is the divine presence with us. He gives life that we might have life; his self-giving was something done for each of us and for all of us. St Augustine said that 'God loves each of us as though we were the only one and all of us as though we were one'.

That divine self-giving is at once deeply personal and also totally communal. And so today's feast has enriching personal aspects in our traditional devotion to the real presence; it is also a deeply communal celebration as it builds up the body of Christ, the Church. In the Eucharist, we share in the death of Christ and we also share in his resurrection. That risen life is one that we share with others: it introduces us into a communion, a fellowship, a family (Second Reading) WE have responsibilities to others.

This real presence of the divine with us is one that points to eternity. At mass the priest says:

  May this mingling of the body and blood of Christ, bring eternal life to us who receive it.

We are already tasting eternal life in Holy Communion. T.S. Eliot once wrote that 'We humans cannot bear too much reality'. But little by little we are being led by this holy food to pass over from a limited, self-centred attitude to one that embraces all people and all time. We have already an eternal dimension.

The great difference between my childhood communion and now is that is used be all about me and what God was doing for me alone, now thanks to prayer, thoughtful conversations and study I have come to understand that "me" only has purpose when connected with "you".

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References:

Fr Peter Dillon

 

prologue by Fr Paul W. Kelly

Image Credit: Shutterstock Licensed stock photo ID: 1041144766. Sanctuary of Caravaggio (BG), ITALY - 24-8-2016. Mosaic : The last supper. By Macthia

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. (Corpus Christi). Year A (Sunday, June 14, 2020) (EPISODE: 233 )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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{{Love and joy be with everyone}}

 

As one family in Christ, let us prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries by calling to mind our sins.
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy// //Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Eucharist I
Eucharistic Prayer II
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{{thank you for your company as we have given thanks and praise to our God.}}

Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

 

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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com

To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here.
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Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers. 

Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray," by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The ….Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of William John Kelly - Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

- "Today I Arise" - For Tricia J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019. 

May God bless and keep you. 
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