Corpus Christi; “The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ”
Who doesn’t like receiving a present, a gift; something given to us by someone else? There are many reasons why we love getting gifts, one reason being that a gift is usually something that we want or desire, maybe even something we have been asking to have for a long time. Another reason usually involves the gift giver; they thought enough about us to go out of their way and do something nice for us, showing that they care about us.
Think back to something in your life that you really wanted, something that you could not wait to get. What was that present for you? Maybe the “hottest” toy out there when you were younger, maybe an iPhone as you got older. Whatever it was, do you remember the excitement of unwrapping that present? Remember the joy and that huge smile that came across your face the first time you used it? There is something about a present, a gift…they are awesome! Some can even be life changing, or at least we think they can.
Take a moment to think about the person giving you the present. They too, were excited to have you open that present and share in your joy. They may have been just as excited as you were.
Those feelings, that excitement, that joy, can all be found every Sunday at Mass. Where? In the gift of the Eucharist that we celebrate each and every Sunday. The Gospel this week specifically speaks of this most incredible present. It is in fact the Sunday we celebrate The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
The Eucharist (Communion) is the greatest present ever given. The Eucharist is Jesus; Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity; the “Real Presence.” Jesus tell us in the Gospel this week as he breaks the bread; “Take it; this is my body.” And he says the same as he gives them the cup; “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” He does not say this is a symbol of my body and blood. He lets us know that it is him.
What a gift, each and every time we go to Mass and receive the Eucharist, we are receiving God, within us. How incredibly awesome is that? God comes to us in the form of something ordinary, something that we understand (bread and wine) so that we can be fed and go out and do the extraordinary! God gives us his whole self; He holds nothing back. Do we understand that? Do we think about that as we stand on that Communion line to receive the present of His presence within our own hearts and self? Or do we take the gift for granted? This present, the very presence of God Himself is why the Mass is so important, it’s why the Mass is the source and summit of our faith! How often do we thank God for this incredible gift, one that really is life changing, one that lasts forever? Why are we not running to Mass every Sunday to unwrap this present?
St. Therese of Lisieux said; “Receive Communion often, very often…there you have the sole remedy, if you want to be cured-Jesus has not put this attraction in your heart for nothing.”
The Lord has put that desire to receive Him within our hearts, again, it is not for nothing, but truly for everything. What love does God the Father have for us that He would give us this present, that He would want to enter into us?
This Sunday as we celebrate the Body and Blood of Christ and the present that it is, let us take a moment to prepare our hearts and really think about who and what we are receiving. Let us also think about the gift giver, the one who loves us so much that He gives us everything, He gives us Himself. This gift gives us all that we need and tells us who we are, the beloved, children of God.