Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi Sunday) – June 18, 2017

 Readings: Deut 8:2-3.14b-16a; Responsorial Psalm Ps 147:12-13.14-15.19-20 (R.12a); 

2 Cor 10:16-17 & Gospel John 6:51-58.

Theme – Holy Eucharist: Source & Summit of Our Lives

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today, the Church celebrates Corpus Christi Sunday - the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.  According to Munachi (2016), the feast of the Body of Christ, Corpus Christi was introduced into Church calendar in 1264.  He claimed that the vision of a glistening full moon, in which an Augustinian nun, Juliana of Liège influenced the celebration. The moon she saw was perfect but for some hollow dark spots which she was told represented the absence of a feast of the Eucharist. In the light of our liturgical readings, we shall base our reflection on four points: The spiritual, ecclesial, ecumenical/“dialogic” and secular dimensions of the Holy Eucharist:

1. Spiritual Dimension of the Eucharist

(a)   Sacramental Growth: After receiving the sacrament of baptism, which unlocks the door to other sacraments, the next sacrament which sustains our sacramental-growth is the Holy Eucharist. After baptism, the Eucharist serves as the spiritual meal which energises and further disposes us towards the reception of the sacraments of Confirmation, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony. As the source and summit of our lives and existence, the Eucharist positions us around the Lord’s Table for a better appreciation of other sacraments.

(b)   Sanctifying Grace: As God’s children, we enjoy his supernatural grace which abides with us through his Spirit. However, it is the Holy Eucharist that guarantees us of sanctifying grace. The worthy reception of the Eucharist grants us the grace to live holy and devout lives. When supernatural and sanctifying grace are at work in our lives, living out the gospel values becomes easy. What is more, it is supernatural grace which disposes us to enjoy sanctifying grace through sacraments like the Holy Eucharist.

2. Ecclesial Dimension of the Eucharist

(a)   Mission Ad Intra: The ecclesial dimension of the sacrament of the Body and the Blood of Christ touches on mission within the Church. There are various sodalities and pious societies in the Church. These associations within the Church are supposed to depend on the Holy Eucharist as the source of their guidance, inspiration and direction.  

(b)   Building Synergy & Consensus: Building synergy and consensus among the various sodalities and pious societies within the Church entails working for the good of the Church – in the second reading (2 Cor 10:16-17), St. Paul exhorts that, although we are many, we are one in the body of Christ. This oneness is supposed to reflect in our Catholicism and Universality. This oneness is contingent on the one bread and the one chalice that we share. Our liturgy calls us to eschew divisive tendencies that are capable of tearing the body of Christ apart. Those who have the tendency of scattering the flock of God must have a rethink. The recent scandalous happening in Ahiara diocese calls for sober reflection on the whether we are a Eucharistic people or not.

3.      Ecumenical and “Dialogic” Dimension of the Eucharist

(A). Mission Ad Extra: We must understand that it is the Eucharist that energises us to engage in ecumenical gatherings with Christians from other faith-groups as well as dialogue with Muslims. As a moral voice for preaching peace in the world, the Catholic Church encourages her members to engage in dialogue with Muslims. Because “civilized people solve their problems through dialogue,” the Church toes the same lane in ensuring that the world experiences the peace Christ prayed for.

In Nostra Aetate - Declaration on the relation of Church to non-Christians, the Council Fathers having acknowledged that in the past the relation between Christians and Muslims was fraught with suspicion and fear, now “pleads with all to forget the past, and urges that a sincere effort be made to achieve mutual understanding...” The Church Fathers believed that when mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims is realised, only then can we “preserve and promote peace, liberty, social justice and moral values...” As such:

a). The Church encourages her members to always open doors of friendship with their Muslim neighbours seeing them as partners in progress;

b). She also calls the faithful to engage in dialogue every day with their Muslim brothers and Sisters not only with the sophisticated language of “Inter-religious dialogue” but by seeking ways to respond to the needs of Muslims as exemplified by the Good Samaritan;

c). Christians are expected to practice gestures which open up the door for better friendship with Muslims towards making the world a better place.

This can further be achieved through, theological dialogue and dialogue of religious experience:

i.                    Theological Dialogue or Dialogue of Experts: Strengthened by the Eucharist, Christians Theologians can approach Muslim academics/experts or religious leaders for encounters to clarify issues and create greater understanding – this is dialogue of experts. This kind of dialogue helps to remove prejudices that blind religious leaders of a particular creed from seeing the good in another faith. It also helps them to appreciate each other’s spiritual values while having a better understanding of their differences.

ii.                  Dialogue of Religious Experience: Jesus in the Eucharist helps us to realise the need for jointly reading religious texts with people of other faiths while reflecting upon same. Catholic experts must seek ways of entering into interfaith prayer sessions and living out the gospel of Christ, the bread of life – this can also be achieved through demonstrating expertise and maturity in initiating genuine programmes aimed at bringing others to seek the face of God – such occasions could be during draught or famine.