June 22, 2014 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
Dt 8: 2-3, 14B-16A; Ps 147: 12-15, 19-20; 1 Cor 10: 16-17; Jn 6: 51-58
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The Eucharist is the ‘source and summit of the Christian life’.” (3:1324). It continues, “…in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church.” That is why on this Sunday after Holy Trinity Sunday we celebrate Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
The word “Eucharist” finds its roots in the Latin word eucharistia, which in turn came from the Greek word eucharistos, which meant, quite simply, “gratitude” or “thanksgiving.” How appropriate that we, who are called by Christ to be a stewardship people, celebrate at the focal point of every Mass an act of thanksgiving and gratitude — namely the reception of Jesus’ incredible gift to us — the Eucharist.
The Lord proclaims in today’s Gospel reading from John, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” When we receive the Lord in His real presence at Mass, we should approach the Eucharist with respect, humility, commitment, and love. These words also apply to how we live our lives through stewardship. We are a Eucharistic people, grateful and giving. In receiving the Lord in all His fullness through the Eucharist, we in turn are called to share that goodness through love with all we meet.
