Corpus Christi Homily

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi which is a celebration of the importance of the Most Holy Eucharist in our life and that of the Church.

There are many faith traditions outside of the Catholic Church that have some type of eucharistic meal. In these services they direct their mind unto God and receive a symbolic representation of Christ. The Church would agree that what they receive is symbolic, but what we receive in the Eucharist at Mass is the true presence of the Lord our God.

When Church teaching becomes difficult in one area or another some are willing to flock to other faith traditions to receive something that is only symbolic for this is an easier path. If we understand and believe in the Eucharist there is no way that we can leave the Church behind for to do so would be to leave Christ behind for something lesser. Out of love for Him we must choose to embrace His cross and live our life for Him no matter the difficulty.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds, “The Eucharist is properly the sacrament of those who are in full communion with the Church.” As is stated in the Epistle of Saint John, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgement upon himself.”

From these statements we can conclude that reception of the Eucharist is important and that it should be treated as such. Reception of the Eucharist should not be something taken lightly or be treated as if it were something that is routine and expected of us no matter the state of our soul.

As we are addressed in the words of Saint John the Baptist at Mass, “Behold, the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.” And the words of the centurion of which we respond, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

With true thought we should profess these words with the realization of the one whom we are to receive. We will receive Christ present with us Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity under the appearances of bread and wine. If we discern that we need to make a good confession first let us do so. Let us properly prepare for the one whom we receive and give thanks for that gift that has been given to us instead of rushing out of the Church, without receiving the final blessing, in order to be the first to leave the parking lot. Instead let us rejoice in the Eucharist and desire to be held in His presence by how we live and order our life towards Him as we are sent forth.

“O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who according to the will of the Father, with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, hast by Thy death given life unto the world, deliver me by Thy most sacred Body, which, I, unworthy, have presumed to receive, from all my iniquities and from every evil, and make me ever to hold fast to Thy commandments and suffer me never to be separated from Thee. Amen.”