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.
This essential mystery of Christianity, that there is one God revealed in three divine Persons, speaks about a unity of a community founded in love. May the example of the Most Holy Trinity inspire us to unite in love as we foster the communion we share with God and one another.
St. Paul uses the example of a single body composed of many parts to show how the Christian community is united through the diversity of many people working together. We all have a part to offer in our communion with Christ; the question is, will we bring our unique talents and gifts in service for all?
Paul admonishes the people of Corinth for their lawsuits against each other, reminding us that as disciples we are challenged to live holy lives and get along.
The early Church gathers to listen and discuss the topic of circumcision, and their example offers us a powerful insight regarding how we engage hot topics with one another today.
Three Great Things 