The Beatitudes begin the Sermon on the Mount in chapters five through seven in Matthew’s Gospel, and they offer consolation and strength in the midst of the challenges of daily life.
On this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ – often known as Corpus Christi – we receive with open hearts the gift of the Eucharist. May this spiritual food strengthen us for the task at hand as the Lord nourishes us to do his work today.
Seeing the example of a poor widow, Jesus teaches us that in the eyes of Heaven the value of our offering is not counted in the amount, but rather in the amount of sacrifice.
Responding to the Sadducees, Jesus offers insight into the reality of the resurrection, inspiring us to consider how we might live today in preparation for the eternal life to come.
Aware of a trap that is set to ensnare him, Jesus responds with clever wisdom, inviting us to consider how we call upon God for grace and insight as we use all the resources we possess to deal with the challenges of life.
Let’s examine some of the themes in the Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, sometimes called Corpus Christi.
1st Reading – Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14b-16a
Moses reminds the people how they were fed by God with Manna during their journey of forty years.
Moses goes on to exhort the people to never forget the Lord their God and the marvels that they experienced.
Psalm – 147:12-15,19-20
“Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.”
We glorify God as we recall how the Lord strengthens and blesses the people with peace.
2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 10:16-17
The cup of blessing and the bread we break are part of our communion with the blood and body of Christ.
This communion unites us to God and one another.
Gospel – John 6:51-58
Jesus proclaims that he is “the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will last forever.”
The Lord’s flesh is true food and his blood is true drink; whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood has eternal life, and Christ will raise us up on the last day.
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