The Feast of Corpus Christi is celebrated on the Thursday following Holy Trinity Sunday to solemnly commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist. In many places it has been moved to the following Sunday. Calendar issues aside, it is a very powerful reason for a new appointment with the Bible.
Stated in a very simple and general way, the purpose of Corpus Christi’s celebration is to proclaim and increase the faith of Catholics in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. But this day is something else. As Pope Francis points out, “Jesus in the Eucharist becomes close to us, and for this reason He invites us not to leave those, who are close to us, alone!” He is the Son of God, Sunday after Sunday, Mass after Mass, Eucharist after Eucharist, telling us that He is with us today, tomorrow, the day after; always! He is the Son of Man, reminding us that we are God’s temple, from the moment God, as it is said in the book of Genesis, blew into us a breath of life. It is the day that Jesus teaches us that we are members of the same body, and that the other members are my brothers and sisters, with whom we should and can be in “common-union”. It is the day on which the Lord tells us that there is not a more vital human act than loving, because to paraphrase Saint Paul: I can have a bank account full of money, a dream car and much more, but if I don’t love and I don’t feel beloved, I have nothing or am nothing. Hopefully, this appointment with the Bible, to which we invite you, will be useful.
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Matthew 26,26.
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
1 Corinthian 10,16.
And, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthian 11,24.
For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5so we, though many, are one body in Christ 3 and individually parts of one another.
Romans 12, 4-5.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3,15.
He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.
Philippians 3,21.
