Commentary for Sunday: 11th June

John 6, 51-58:

Sunday, 11th June 2023 (Corpus Christi)

 

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever. And the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world… My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.”

 

In some parts it was celebrated last Thursday, and for others it will be this Sunday the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi.

Carpets of flowers, altars with decorations, monstrances, processions    . These displays are somewhat traditional, striking, folkloric, but superficial, even if they are carried out with the best of intentions. It is necessary to go deeper into the content of what we are celebrating. Because it can also be the expression of a profound reality of faith, and this is what Christians should celebrate. It is the sacramental presence of Jesus among us. In the Mass, because “where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst”. And in the sacrament of the Eucharist: “Take and eat, this is my Body. Take and drink, this is my Blood. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in me and I in them.”

On this solemn day we need to partake of his Body and Blood, to feel united by the same faith, and to be aware that together we form the Body of Christ. As he gave himself for us, so we should feel the need of our brothers and sisters and come to their aid. Let us participate fully in this feast by celebrating the presence of Jesus among us.

And we cannot forget the words of Jesus: “as you did it to one of these, the least of my brethren, you did it to me”. We also celebrate today the day of fraternal love. As members of the Body of Christ, which we all form with Him as its head, we cannot be unconcerned about the most disadvantaged.

 

Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf

Are you part of the Body of Christ?

 

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