Homily for Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Year A-2020
Eucharistic Nourishment, Peace, Love, and Unity (A)
Fr. Udoekpo, Michael
v Deut
8:2-3,14b-16a,
v Ps
147:12-15, 19-20
v 1
Cor 10:16-17
v John
6:51-58
After
Pentecost, the church is blessed with three successive solemnities: the Holy Trinity,
the Corpus Christi, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Today we celebrate the second
one: the most holy Body and Blood of Christ. This celebration dates back to the
time of Pope Urban IV in 1264. Every Mass is a remembrance of God’s goodness and
love upon us. It is a sacrifice in the sense that Jesus died for us on the cross
to bring us salvation. In every Mass we are not only praising or thanking God, but
we share in Jesus’ mission of salvation. We give, we sacrifice, we unite, we receive,
we pray (especially for an end to corona virus etc…) we become healed, and
we experience spiritual nourishment.
But
the uniqueness of today’s feast also lies in the processional nature of the celebration.
In some locations, depending on the particular pastoral setting, Jesus, who is present
in the Holy Eucharist, is being carried in a joyful procession through the town
or village after Mass. We are reminded today that Christ travels with us on our
faith journeys. Christ loves all of us. Christ is there for us. He will always be
present with us: the rich and the poor, men, women, and children, and for ordinary
people in towns and villages.
We
see this in today’s first reading, when Moses reminded those traveling to the promised
land of the goodness and blessings of the Lord. He set them free from Pharaoh’s
tyranny. He provided, water, food, and manna for them in the desert when they were
starving and thirsty (Deut 8:2-3, 14b-16a). The only thing God expected of
them, and continue to expect of us (especially in this time of pandemic),
is for us to keep his commandments, trust in him, and love our neighbors as God
first loved us.
In
other words, this Mass teaches us not to be selfish, but to be united in the generosity
of Christ like love. I grew up in a family of more than six children, with many
nieces and nephews. Meal times were always very important. We ate together (of
course, there was no corona virus pandemic then), shared jokes, and felt the
love and support of our family members.
Under
normal circumstances, I am very glad this is still going on today in most of our
homes (regardless of the pandemic or when the pandemic permits). When family
and friends get together, business and ministry groups meet, or when celebrations
are held, it usually involves food, snacks, coffee, and drinks. When he established
Mass, Jesus himself knew the importance of communal meals, which encourage love,
peace, and unity.
Paul
says today to a divided church, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a
sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in
the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body,
for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor 10:16-17).
With
the blessings of a priest, the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ.
We too are changed at every Mass. And in receiving the precious body and blood of
Christ, we are transforming into the likeness of Jesus Christ, who said, “I am
the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will
live forever” (John 6:51).
We
pray that our daily experiences of Christ’s loving presence in the church and in
the Holy Eucharist may constantly bring us and our neighbor’s blessings of hope,
love, peace, and unity, as we continue to pray for an end to this pandemic.
Reflection Questions:
1.
What have you learned from today’s readings and liturgy?
2.
In spite of the challenges of this pandemic, do you continue to see yourself as
the body of Christ, the church family?
3.
How often do you make an effort to promote peace, love, and unity or speak out
against racism, violence, or any form of injustices in your community?
4.
In what ways do you show your awareness that God does accompany you on your journey?
