Homily [2]for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body
and Blood of Christ Year C: Fr. Michael U. Udoekpo
·
Gen
14:18-20· Ps 110:1-4
· I Cor 11:23-26
· Luke 9:11b-17
Similar
event is seen in the Book of Genesis 14, put into music in Psalm 110 “You are a
priest in the line of Melchizedek.” We don’t know much about this Melchizedek
except what we learn and read from the scriptures. He was a king of Salem, at
least this we know. And his name means “a righteous king”, and priests. But we
don’t know who was his father, mother or family. When Abraham came back
victorious from a local war this “righteous king and priest offered Abraham
bread and wine. He also blessed Abraham who offered him a tithe- tenth of what
he had.
In
our Christian faith and Catholic tradition this “righteous king/Melchizedek” is
type of Christ spoken of in the Gospels, especially today’s Gospel, where he
feeds and shows his love, mercy and compassion for the hungry, and provides them
with life! The question then is, if Christ could give us his life, his body,
his blood on the cross, his blessings, his love who are we then not to worship,
imitate, adore and obey him, though not only our devotions, prayers, but love and
charity towards our neighbors– Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, so
you do unto me (Matt 25)!
Saint Paul insists on this same point in
the 2nd reading (1 Cor 11:23-26) when he says, “For as often as you
eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he
comes.”
As we celebrate the solemnity of corpus Christi,
let reflect on how well we have imitate Christ, in his mission of sharing and
unity, in his mission of love and charity and in his mission of sharing our
bread, drinks, time and talents with our neighbors.