2024/06/02 SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ / Corpus Christi
- Delaney Paul, Director of Stewardship & Development
A few months ago, following the 3 p.m. Good Friday Service, I was chatting with Fr. Brett in the back of church. We were reflecting on the powerful service we had just encountered and watched as people stood in line for an opportunity to kiss, touch, or kneel at the foot of the cross. Fr. Brett looked at me while simultaneously pointing at the cross and said “You know this is what it’s all about. This is why we do it.” It was a good reminder then and a good reminder today as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi, which in Latin literally translates to the “Body of Christ.”
The readings from this week are powerful reminders of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. It also had me reflecting on my high school freshman year Theology class where we learned all about biblical typology, which relates the Old Testament to the New Testament. Each time we encountered a fulfillment of scripture in class, we would do a little cheer in the classroom. (Shout out Miss LaCoy if you are reading this!) It’s always stuck with me for a variety of reasons. But mostly, because it gets me thinking—if Jesus can literally fulfill prophecy after prophecy, think for a second about the fulfillment He can provide in YOUR life. Pretty good, right?
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance, the only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” ― C.S. Lewis
Friends, here’s the thing—this feast day and these readings ARE of infinite importance. Each week when we receive the Body of Christ and drink His cup of salvation (Ps 116:13), we are given the gift of new life. We are given love, mercy, and hope. And even though we are not worthy, HE is. He did not offer up the blood of a calf or a goat. No, instead, he offered up HIS own blood.
“For if the blood of goats and bulls
and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes
can sanctify those who are defiled
so that their flesh is cleansed,
how much more will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from dead works
to worship the living God.” (Heb 9:13-14)
So, now what? "We will do everything that the LORD has told us" (Ex 24:3). THIS is our calling—to serve God boldly and without hesitation. We will praise Him on the mountain, and we will praise Him when the mountain is in our way.
As we approach the summer months, our calendars may be filled with travel plans, barbeque parties, and sporting events but where in your calendar could you fit more time with Jesus?
Could it be you attend one daily Mass a week?
Perhaps revere the Body and Blood of Christ during Adoration?
Or maybe you too will sit and stare at the cross and remember that...
This is what it’s all about. This is why we do it.