In thanksgiving for the Eucharist...
Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (June 14, 2020): DT 8:2-3,14-16; PS 147:12-13,14-15,19-20; 1 COR 10:16-17; JN 6:51-58
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
He wants us, all of us, to join with Him in time and eternity.
On this Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ we worship the Son of God and offer thanks for the ultimate gift He shares with us, Himself. In the lovely Sequence that is part of today’s liturgy, we hear: “This the truth each Christian learns, Bread into His flesh He turns, To His Precious blood the wine… Thousands are, as one, receivers, One, as thousands of believers, Eats of Him who cannot waste.” Almighty God’s love for His people has no limits. We have no right to ask Him to make up for the original sin that separated us from Him; no right to ask Him to send His Son to redeem us; no right to ask Him to share His life with all of us He calls His children. God did not pick and choose and a few people who might be worth inviting to know His love on earth and in heaven. Instead, He chose to invite each of us to say “Yes!” And then He did more.
In the Gospel according to St. John, in what is known as the Bread of Life Discourse, we hear Jesus proclaim, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is My flesh for the life of the world” (John 6:51). Our Savior not gives His own Body and Blood for us on the Cross, He wants us to consume Him in the Holy Eucharist. He wants us, all of us, to join with Him in time and eternity. And, because we are bonded with Him, we are bonded with one another. When our Lord calls us brothers and sisters, these are far more that gracious words. We have everlasting life because of Him who tells us that He has life because of the Father. As we seek our heavenly home, we travel in the company of our brothers and sisters of all generations – one more marvelous gift from God to His children, to us.
Suggested missionary action: We can offer our gratitude to Christ for His gift of His Body and Blood every day. And, when we cannot receive the Holy Eucharist sacramentally, we can always pray to receive our Lord in our hearts through spiritual communion.