On The Solemn Feast of Corpus Christi.
Dear Parishioners,
The Feast of Corpus Christi, or the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (as it is often called today), goes back to the 13th century but it celebrates something far older: the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Last Supper.
The scripture readings today reveal why the feast of Corpus Christi takes on great importance. Through it the Church takes us to the very heart of our relationship with God. It glorifies Jesus, who brings this relationship about by his sacrifice, which remains ever present in the Eucharist.
It is through his sacrifice that Jesus makes us children of his Father. It is through his sacrifice that he communicates the Father’s love to us. It is through his sacrifice that he puts us in communion with the Father and hence, with each other. There we have the rich reality of the covenant that is sealed with his blood, which provides us with the life-giving sustenance we need.
That is why we thank him and make a public procession telling the whole world that Jesus is present in the Holy Eucharist. For those who do know or have forgotten: the Holy Eucharist is the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, together with his Soul and Divinity under the appearances of bread and wine offered to God for the living and for the dead. Although it tastes like bread and wine, its very substance is Jesus. It was a sublime gift of our Lord Jesus to us.
How close can he be to us? He left us a memorial of his very self. He did it in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again; and so, to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection.
The Catechism reminds us that it is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” At every Mass, we unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life when God will be all in all. In Holy Communion we partake in his Body and Blood to form a single body sharing an intimate union with our Lord Jesus.
What material food produces in our life, Holy Communion wonderfully achieves in our spiritual life. Holy Communion separates us from sin; cleansing us from past sins while preserving us from future sins. As food, it restores lost strength and boosts our charity that often is weakened by daily struggles. It commits us to serve the poor, the destitute, the abused and the lonely and it helps us see Christ in them.
Every time this mystery is celebrated, the work of our redemption is carried on.
What a great gift and sacrament. This is the food that makes us live forever in Jesus Christ. Please come to the table. God willed that we should share in his divinity. He assumed our human nature in order that we may share in his inner life. He offered his body on the cross to God the Father as a sacrifice for our reconciliation.
O Sacrament, Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all Praise and all Thanksgiving be every moment Thine.
Yours In The Lord,
Rev. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
