Through the Holy Eucharist, let us proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes again
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (June 23, 2019): GN 14:18-20; PS 110:1,2,3,4; 1 COR 11:23-26; LK 9:11-17
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days
This Solemnity is a joyful celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ.
While we honor the institution of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, we pause now to rejoice over this profound gift away from the somber days of Jesus’ passion during Holy Week. We look back to the Last Supper that He shared with the Apostles and the breathtaking offering He made for their sake and that of all His Church. “The Lord Jesus, on the night He was handed over, took bread, and, after He had given thanks…said, ‘This is My body that is for you.… In the same way also the cup,…saying, ‘This is the new covenant in My blood.… Do this…in remembrance of Me’” (1 Corinthians 11:23-25).
As we participate in the Sacrifice of the Mass today, we do not only commemorate that event, we continue it. Just as Peter and John and the others present that night actually consumed the Body and Blood of Christ in the transubstantiation of the bread and wine, so do we. And we also know that this gift will last until the return of our Lord at the end of the world. The Holy Eucharist will nurture us throughout our lives if we entrust ourselves to our beloved Savior and honor His very presence within us by letting Him transform our hearts into His own.
Suggested missionary action: Let us thank God for the immeasurable gift of the Holy Eucharist. And let us resolve to receive Holy Communion more often by attending Holy Mass whenever possible during the week.