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

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi Sunday), Year C – June 23, 2019

Readings: Gen. 14-18-20; Responsorial Psalm Ps 110:1.2.3.4 (R.4cda); 

1 Cor 11:23-26 & Gospel Luke 9:11b-17.

Theme – One Bread, One Chalice, One Family

Introduction

Beloved in the Lord, today the Church celebrates Corpus Christi Sunday - the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.  It is believed that the celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ was introduced into the Church’s calendar in 1264 after an Augustinian Nun, Juliana of Liège saw the vision of a glistening full moon. In her vision, the moon was perfect but there were some hollow dark spots on it which represented the absence of a feast of the Eucharist. It was this vision which influenced the celebration of Corpus Christi. We shall now scan through the readings for pastoral lessons: 

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Gen. 14-18-20) recounts how Melchizedek, the King of Salem and priest of the Most High God brought bread and wine and pronounced blessing upon them. He also blessed Abram and thanked God for granting him victory. In thanksgiving to God, Abram gave Melchizedek a tithe of everything.

In the second reading (1 Cor. 11:23-26), St. Paul tells the Corinthians that what he is passing unto them is what he received from the Lord namely that before he was crucified, Jesus took bread, gave thanks to God, broke it and said: “This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me.” In the same way, he took the chalice and said: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.” He further commanded them to do this as a memorial of the Lord’s death until he comes in glory.

  

The Gospel reading (Luke 9:11b-17) presents us with the Lucan account of the feeding of the five thousand. It narratives how Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God and cured many who were ill. But when evening came, the disciples were worried and told Jesus to send the people away to find food and lodging but he told urged them to provide food for the people themselves. They retorted that they had only five loaves and two fish until they went out to buy food for all the people. At that, he ordered the disciples to get the people sit in parties of fifties. After that, he took the five loaves and two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, said the blessing, broke them and handed them to the disciples to be distributed to the crowd who ate as much as they wanted. When the disciples gathered what was left, they filled twelve baskets.

Pastoral Lessons

1. Bread and Wine: The offering of bread and wine by Melchizedek in the first reading reminds us about the matter of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist which eventually becomes the body and blood of Christ.

2. Tithe and Thanksgiving: By offering a tithe of everything he owned to Melchizedek, Abram teaches us that the perfect place for offering thanks to God is during the sacrifice of the Holy Mass.

3. Sacred Tradition: By telling the Corinthians in the second reading that what he is passing unto them is what he received from the Lord, St. Paul reminds us that we must not toy with the patrimony of sacred liturgy which the Church has maintained for 2019 years through theatrical shows in the name of liturgy.

4. Memorial Celebration: The command that we should celebrate the Eucharist as a memorial of the Lord’s death until he comes again urges the Church to keep this holy summon and encourage the faithful to attend daily masses as remedy for sin and source of spiritual nourishment for the pilgrim journey. 

5. Catechises and Care for the Sick: Since the gospel text revealed that Jesus preached to the crowds about the kingdom of God and cured those among them who were in need of healing, Pastors of souls are challenged to seriously embrace the teaching of catechesis and pastoral care of the sick.  

6. Food and Lodging: The concern which the apostles had about food and lodging demonstrates that although the Church is not primarily a Non-Governmental Organisation, because its main duty is preaching and sanctification of the world, she nonetheless has a responsibility to care for those at the margins of the society like the aged, Internally Displaced Persons, widows, orphans et al. 

7. Charity and Generosity: By freely donating the five loaves and two fish, the apostles constantly challenge us that having been strengthened by the Eucharist, we are obliged to share our earthly resources with those who are in dire need.

8. Synergy and Solidarity: By organising the people to sit in parties of fifties and packing the leftovers, the apostles teach us about the importance of collaboration and working with others towards our common goal.

9. Waste Management and Care for the Earth: The packing of the leftovers draws our attention as a Eucharistic people to be responsible for the environment through ensuring proper waste management and overall care of the earth.

10. Catholic Action: Catholic Action which Pope Pius XI’s coined in 1927 calls the laity to participate in the apostolate of the hierarchy by building a more autonomous society through living out the values of the Eucharist, sustaining various activities in the secular society based on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and living the gospel of life through promotion of human dignity and caring for God’s creation.

11. Synergy and Consensus: Since the oneness of the Church 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. 

Homiletic Quotes to Remember
1. The celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ was introduced into the Church’s calendar in 1264.
 
2. Abram gave Melchizedek a tithe of everything.

3. Do this as a memorial of the Lord’s death until he comes again in glory.

4. The disciples were worried and told Jesus to send the people away to find food and lodging but he urged them to provide food for the people.

5. He took the five loaves and two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, said the blessing, broke them and handed them to the disciples.

Conclusion

Today, as part of being truly a Eucharistic people, Catholics are challenged to be involved in public action and advocacy through building or supporting catholic institutions such as schools, hospitals, orphanages to mention just a few. They are equally charged to increase their reverence for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. By the same token, they are urged to receive the Body and Blood of Christ more reverently. On this occasion, yet-to-be communicants are encouraged to trace the missing link and be reunited to Christ and his Church. Nothing compares to enjoying full communion with Christ and his Church. May Jesus, who is truly present in the Blessed Eucharist, help us to endure the difficulties of this life so as to enjoy the one bread and one chalice as a united family in heaven. Amen!