Solemnity of Corpus Christi: The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ

06-11-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

In the Gospel, Jesus tells His listeners: I am the Living Bread that comes from heaven, whoever eats this bread will live forever The BREAD He offers is His flesh that gives life to the world. Jesus invites the people to eat His body/flesh a shock to His listeners and would be disciples; in their minds, they wonder where Jesus got the courage to challenge everyone to take his flesh as spiritual food, much more than physical nourishment. Something new and unprecedented is happening. His command is taboo for the Jews and the last straw for many; who left the company of Jesus. If only they stayed longer, they would see through the words of Jesus, who invites them to be one with Him and He in them.

After this scene in the Gospel, many would be followers abandoned the Lord because they did not yet have the faith to accept the teachings of Jesus: Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you. Life within is to be in communion with God through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who offers His flesh as the spiritual food while eternal life is Jesus, the Bread of Life. For John the Evangelist, eternal life is knowing the one true God and the one He sent, Jesus Christ. Jesus wants to nourish the disciples with His WORDS, BODY, and precious BLOOD. And towards the end of chapter six (6) of John, Jesus would ask those who choose to remain: Do you want also to leave? And Peter, who is showing signs of leadership, replies: Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

The Bread of Life is the Eucharist, the sacred banquet, the holy meal. In this banquet of the Lord, Jesus invites families and friends, everyone who believes to be part of a memorial sacrifice, a lifegiving celebration, and a meal shared by those who believe. Those who participate in the sacred banquet become more and more like the one they receive, Jesus. When we receive the Eucharist in the state of grace, we become one with Him: We think, talk, and act like Jesus. Eating and drinking His Body and Blood means we commune with Jesus and assimilate His body, soul, and divinity. All these happen because Jesus transformed the bread and wine into His Body and precious Blood to be the only sacrifice of the new covenant.

Let us make all efforts to be worthy to receive the Eucharist. Being in a state of grace allows us to obtain the full benefits of the Body and Blood of our Lord - as opposed to going to the motion of communion but devoid of spiritual blessings.

A saint saw the baby Jesus while the priest gave communion to the congregation. As the faithful approached the priest to receive communion, the saint saw the Baby Jesus, sometimes smiling, at times crying, probably depending on the worthiness of the communicant. Then suddenly, the vision ended with Jesus almost in tears, at those who came but did not receive communion and those who had not come at all.

Of course, the same could be said not only with those receiving Holy Communion but also with priests and Eucharistic ministers giving communion. Everyone in the ministry must strive to be worthy givers, dispensers, and ministers of the sacraments.

This September, with pilgrims from our parish, we are going to visit San Giovanni Rotundo, the place of St. Padre Pio, who had a deep devotion to the Holy Eucharist, lowly Friar intercede for us for the mercy of God.

The prayer of Priest before Communion: May the receiving of your Body and Blood, Lord Jesus Christ, not bring me to condemnation, but through your loving mercy be for me protection in mind and body and a healing remedy.