Readings: Gen. 14:18-20; Responsorial Psalm Ps PS 110:1, 2, 3, 4; 1 Cor 11:23-26;
Gospel Lk 9:11B-17.
Theme: Bread, Broken For Our Sakes
The Feast of Corpus Christi also known as Corpus Domini, is a Latin Rite liturgical solemnity which celebrates the tradition and belief in the body and blood of Jesus Christ and his Real Presence in the Eucharist. The celebration of Corpus Christi emphasizes the joy of the institution of the Eucharist which was enacted on Maundy Thursday at the Last Supper Jesus ate with his disciples. The last supper remains a focal point in the institution of the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders. Those who receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders extend the divine command of "Do this in memory of me" by feeding the flock with the Body and the Blood of Christ.
As is the custom, on this day, priests lead the people in a procession carrying the Blessed Sacrament in the montrance after the celebration of the Holy Mass. This is followed by the Benediction. The enchanting Lyrics of "I am Catholic, I am alive" by the duo of Dominique Ceerjo and Fr. Reuben Tellis brings to the fore the message of Corpus Christi Sunday. "He broke bread and shared wine before His agony. We share the Body and Blood in His memory. To make His message known is our responsibility. So here we are to pledge our lives to the Lord of eternity." The Eucharist is at the centre of our celebration as Catholics. The Holy Eucharist, Vatican II insists, is "the source and summit of the Christian life" (Lumen gentium, no. 11 & Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1324). Scholars are agreed that in Christian spirituality, "source and summit" means at least two things: "First, that Christian spirituality flows from the Eucharist as its source, the way light streams forth from the sun. And second, that Christian spirituality is supremely realized in and ordered to the Eucharist as its summit or highpoint – that to which all of our actions should ultimately be directed." Our first reading from Genesis (Gen. 14:18-20) gives a prelude to the eucharistic celebration. Melchizedek, king of Salem presents Abraham with the matter for the sacrifice of the Mass namely, bread and wine. That those gifts came from the priest of God the Most High indicates that the bread and wine are gifts of God, presented by the people and blessed by the priest for the physical and spiritual well-being of the people of God. It lives us with the lesson that at every celebration, we ought to bring our toils and labours to the table of the Eucharist for God's blessing and transformation. Do we really come with our moral malaise, sicknesses, financial bankruptcy, family squabbles, rivalries and tensions to the altar of grace - Kevin Nichols' popular Catholic Hymn "In bread we bring you Lord, our body's' labour" brings home the message: "In wine we offer you our spirit's grief...Our selfish hearts make true, our failing faith renew..."
It is important to note that as a sign of gratitude, Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. We must understand that the Eucharist is itself thanksgiving. That Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish and looked up to heaven was a sign of gratitude to the Lord who supplies all good things.
That gratitude includes the picking up of leftover fragments which filled twelve wicker baskets. We are not supposed to waste God's gifts and talents. Many people throw away food and drink while their neighbours go hungry. We keep clothes and shoes we do not use while others in the neighbourhood walk naked and bare-footed. Again, Kevin Nichols reminds us that when we come for mass, "We do not ask you, Lord, who is my neighbor but stand united now, in one belief." This underscores unity and the communitarian character of the Eucharist.
We though are many share the one bread and one cup (Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:17 & Romans 12:5 ). Just so we are supposed to share our gifts and resources with the less privileged and those who cannot repay us. Instead of forming a synergy as a Christian community, we sometimes allow selfish motives to divide and truncate the body of Christ. Some Pious Societies in the Church see themselves as independent from other societies. They would not support other groups or come out for church cleaning or arranging of seats. They are slow to contribute to Church development projects but are quick to sign cheques for their Pious Societies. What is more, rich dioceses are not excited in showing solidarity with poorer dioceses in terms of both the temporal and spiritual goods of the Church. How many priests or missionaries are willing to go for mission in low income dioceses? It behooves us a individuals and members of the Church to reaccess our understanding of the universality and oneness of the Church vis-à-vis the Eucharist as a source of unity. The real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist should propel us to keep that life which the spirit gives alive and active - it is this life that motives us to build communities - "Nourished by the Eucharist we build community" through pastoral work, school, hospital and prison apostolates. By providing the people with physical bread in the gospel, Jesus was pointing to a deeper reality that was to be accomplished through his sacrifice on Calvary - a memorial feast he lives with his church as a spiritual platform and foretaste of the celebration in heaven. The question is, how do you intend to eat Jesus' bread and remain indifferent about your brother or sister who has none? We must work for the bread of life while sharing ours with others. May today's celebration help us to be truly a Eucharistic people. "The chances we have missed, the graces we resist; Lord, in thy Eucharist, take and redeem." Happy Corp[truncated by WhatsApp]
[14:41, 5/27/2016] Fr Justin: us Christi celebration!
[14:42, 5/27/2016] Fr Justin: Correction, Date: May 29, 2016
[14:43, 5/27/2016] Fr Justin: Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ: Year C - May 29, 2016.
Readings: Gen. 14:18-20; Responsorial Psalm Ps PS 110:1, 2, 3, 4; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Gospel Lk 9:11B-17.
Theme: Bread, Broken For Our Sakes
The Feast of Corpus Christi also known as Corpus Domini, is a Latin Rite liturgical solemnity which celebrates the tradition and belief in the body and blood of Jesus Christ and his Real Presence in the Eucharist. The celebration of Corpus Christi emphasizes the joy of the institution of the Eucharist which was enacted on Maundy Thursday at the Last Supper Jesus ate with his disciples. The last supper remains a focal point in the institution of the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders. Those who receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders extend the divine command of "Do this in memory of me" by feeding the flock with the Body and the Blood of Christ.
As is the custom, on this day, priests lead the people in a procession carrying the Blessed Sacrament in the montrance after the celebration of the Holy Mass. This is followed by the Benediction. The enchanting Lyrics of "I am Catholic, I am alive" by the duo of Dominique Ceerjo and Fr. Reuben Tellis brings to the fore the message of Corpus Christi Sunday. "He broke bread and shared wine before His agony. We share the Body and Blood in His memory. To make His message known is our responsibility. So here we are to pledge our lives to the Lord of eternity." The Eucharist is at the centre of our celebration as Catholics. The Holy Eucharist, Vatican II insists, is "the source and summit of the Christian life" (Lumen gentium, no. 11 & Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1324). Scholars are agreed that in Christian spirituality, "source and summit" means at least two things: "First, that Christian spirituality flows from the Eucharist as its source, the way light streams forth from the sun. And second, that Christian spirituality is supremely realized in and ordered to the Eucharist as its summit or highpoint – that to which all of our actions should ultimately be directed." Our first reading from Genesis (Gen. 14:18-20) gives a prelude to the eucharistic celebration. Melchizedek, king of Salem presents Abraham with the matter for the sacrifice of the Mass namely, bread and wine. That those gifts came from the priest of God the Most High indicates that the bread and wine are gifts of God, presented by the people and blessed by the priest for the physical and spiritual well-being of the people of God. It lives us with the lesson that at every celebration, we ought to bring our toils and labours to the table of the Eucharist for God's blessing and transformation. Do we really come with our moral malaise, sicknesses, financial bankruptcy, family squabbles, rivalries and tensions to the altar of grace - Kevin Nichols' popular Catholic Hymn "In bread we bring you Lord, our body's' labour" brings home the message: "In wine we offer you our spirit's grief...Our selfish hearts make true, our failing faith renew..."
It is important to note that as a sign of gratitude, Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. We must understand that the Eucharist is itself thanksgiving. That Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish and looked up to heaven was a sign of gratitude to the Lord who supplies all good things.
That gratitude includes the picking up of leftover fragments which filled twelve wicker baskets. We are not supposed to waste God's gifts and talents. Many people throw away food and drink while their neighbours go hungry. We keep clothes and shoes we do not use while others in the neighbourhood walk naked and bare-footed. Again, Kevin Nichols reminds us that when we come for mass, "We do not ask you, Lord, who is my neighbor but stand united now, in one belief." This underscores unity and the communitarian character of the Eucharist.
We though are many share the one bread and one cup (Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:17 & Romans 12:5 ). Just so we are supposed to share our gifts and resources with the less privileged and those who cannot repay us. Instead of forming a synergy as a Christian community, we sometimes allow selfish motives to divide and truncate the body of Christ. Some Pious Societies in the Church see themselves as independent from other societies. They would not support other groups or come out for church cleaning or arranging of seats. They are slow to contribute to Church development projects but are quick to sign cheques for their Pious Societies. What is more, rich dioceses are not excited in showing solidarity with poorer dioceses in terms of both the temporal and spiritual goods of the Church. How many priests or missionaries are willing to go for mission in low income dioceses? It behooves us a individuals and members of the Church to reaccess our understanding of the universality and oneness of the Church vis-à-vis the Eucharist as a source of unity. The real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist should propel us to keep that life which the spirit gives alive and active - it is this life that motives us to build communities - "Nourished by the Eucharist we build community" through pastoral work, school, hospital and prison apostolates. By providing the people with physical bread in the gospel, Jesus was pointing to a deeper reality that was to be accomplished through his sacrifice on Calvary - a memorial feast he lives with his church as a spiritual platform and foretaste of the celebration in heaven. The question is, how do you intend to eat Jesus' bread and remain indifferent about your brother or sister who has none? We must work for the bread of life while sharing ours with others. May today's celebration help us to be truly a Eucharistic people. "The chances we have missed, the graces we resist; Lord, in thy Eucharist, take and redeem." Happy Corp[ Christi Celebration!
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