APPROACH THE EUCHARIST WITH PROFOUND REVERENCE AND GRATITUDE.
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The reflection based on
Readings: Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 115(116):12-13,15-18; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16,22-26
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we gather to celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi. This solemn feast invites us to reflect deeply on the profound mystery and gift of the Eucharist. The readings from Exodus, the Psalms, Hebrews, and the Gospel of Mark guide us into a richer understanding of this sacred sacrament, where we encounter the real presence of Jesus Christ.
In our first reading, we see Moses establishing the covenant between God and the people of Israel. He reads the Book of the Covenant, and the people respond with a pledge to follow all that the Lord has commanded. Moses then sprinkles the blood of the sacrificed animals on the altar and the people, symbolizing the sealing of this sacred agreement. The blood signifies life and commitment, prefiguring the New Covenant established by Jesus through His own blood.
The psalmist asks, "How can I repay the Lord for all the good done for me?" The response is found in lifting up the cup of salvation and calling on the name of the Lord. This psalm expresses deep gratitude and a desire to fulfill vows to God in the presence of His people. The act of lifting the cup is a powerful foreshadowing of the Eucharistic celebration, where we partake in the cup of salvation, the blood of Christ.
In the letter to the Hebrews, we see Jesus described as the high priest of the good things that have come. Unlike the high priests of the Old Covenant who entered the earthly sanctuary with the blood of goats and calves, Jesus entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands. He did so with His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption for us. His sacrifice cleanses our consciences from dead works to serve the living God. Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant, offering Himself unblemished to God to purify us.
In the Gospel, we witness Jesus instituting the Eucharist during the Last Supper. He takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to His disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." Similarly, He takes a cup, gives thanks, and shares it, declaring, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." In this moment, Jesus transforms the Passover meal into the new and everlasting covenant in His body and blood.
The Eucharist is not merely a symbol or a ritual; it is the real presence of Christ among us. Through the consecrated bread and wine, we receive Jesus Himself-His body, blood, soul, and divinity. This sacrament is a profound mystery and the greatest expression of God's love for us.
The sacrificial language in the readings reminds us that the Eucharist is deeply connected to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Just as the blood of animals in the Old Covenant signified the seriousness of the Israelites' commitment to God, the blood of Christ signifies the ultimate sacrifice and the new covenant established for the salvation of all humanity.
In the Eucharist, we participate in this new covenant. Each time we celebrate Mass, we are invited to renew our commitment to Christ, to unite our own sacrifices with His, and to be transformed by His grace. The Eucharist nourishes us spiritually, strengthens our bond with Christ, and with one another as His body, the Church.
As we celebrate the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, let us approach the Eucharist with profound reverence and gratitude. May we recognize the immense gift we receive and allow it to transform our lives. In lifting the cup of salvation and partaking in the body of Christ, let us commit to living out the love and sacrifice of Jesus in our daily lives. Through the Eucharist, we are called to be His presence in the world, sharing His love and mercy with all. Amen.
30 май 2024
