The Most Holy Blood of Christ, Year A – Homily
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a
Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 (12)
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
John 6:51-58
June 11, 2023
The Book of Deuteronomy is seen as a farewell address by Moses as he reminds the people of what the Lord has done for them and what they agreed to do (keep the commandments).
God allowed them to “be afflicted with hunger.” In their hunger, they recognized they need for God and cried out to him. God responded by feeding them with manna, “a food unknown” to them. (Some scholars today try to explain what the manna was in terms of substances that existed them. The Bible is explicit in calling the manna, “a food unknown” to them. So, it couldn’t have been a common substance).
God had brought them out of slavery from Egypt. Jesus, Son of God, frees us from our slavery to sin.
God fed the Israelites in the desert with the manna, a food unknown to them. Jesus feeds us with a food that we cannot fully recognize with human eyes. It looks like bread but it has been changed into Jesus’ Body. It is food for our souls.
Our gospel today comes from Jesus’ Bread of Life Discourse. Jesus is preparing them for the Eucharist.
Bread is seen as a basic necessity for life. Jesus identifies himself, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” He tells us, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.”
No one lives forever in this world. Jesus is speaking of life with God for eternity.
Hearing this, “The Jews quarreled among themselves.” They struggled to understand. The fact that they were quarreling over it would seem to indicate that some believed what Jesus said and some didn’t. To some it sounded like cannibalism. How could they all eat his flesh and drink his blood?
The Jews had not experienced the Last Supper. We have. We know that what Jesus speaks of in this discourse is what we receive in the Eucharist.
Unfortunately, many people don’t fully get what Jesus has done for us. When we receive the Eucharist, we are not receiving ordinary bread and wine. No, from Jesus’ own words at the Last Supper, the bread and wine are transubstantiated into Jesus’ Body and Blood.
Transubstantiation is a big word. It’s a word we don’t use any other time. It should be a word we don’t use any other time. There is nothing else like it. The outward appearance does not change. In faith, we know its substance is changed.
Paul speaks to the Corinthians of the cup as “a participation in the blood of Christ.” Paul also speaks of the bread as “a participation in the body of Christ.”
What does Paul mean by participation?
On Good Friday Jesus offered his life on the Cross as a sacrifice for our sins. The night before, at the Last Supper, He identified the bread as his body which would be given up for us and the wine as his blood which would be shed for us.
In doing so, Jesus united the celebration of the Eucharist to his sacrifice. Every time we celebrate Mass, we are celebrating the sacrifice of Jesus. We do not offer a new sacrifice. Rather, God, in a way only God can, makes present to us the sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary.
As Mass, you are not just spectators. You participate by actively engaging in the Mass. You can call to mind the sacrifices you have made for others and ask God to unite them with Jesus’ sacrifice.
How much do you think about this at Mass?
Do you reflect on the fact that Jesus’ sacrificed his life so that your sins can be forgiven?
When you come forth for Communion, do you realize you are receiving Jesus himself? Do you think about what that means for you?
Have you ever come to Eucharistic Adoration?
Do you even know what Eucharistic Adoration is?
After Communion, the remaining hosts that have been consecrated are placed in the Tabernacle to be brought to the sick and homebound.
One larger host is kept in the Luna. The Luna is small glass container that holds the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance for Eucharistic Adoration. It is not just a piece of bread. It is Jesus present for us in the Eucharist. If it were just bread, there would be not point to Eucharistic Adoration. When we accept in faith that it is Jesus, then Adoration becomes time spent with Jesus.
We offer Eucharistic Adoration on the First Friday of each month. I strongly encourage you to come.
Today, on this Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus, we are going to do something very special at the end of our 10 am. Mass. We are going to have a Eucharistic Procession.
What is a Eucharistic Procession?
I will take the Blessed Sacrament in the Luna and place it in the monstrance. Then, I will incense it.
Then, our Cross-bearer will lead us out. As the Cross passes you, remember it is not just the Cross. Jesus is there Crucified for you. This is the Sacrifice we have celebrated in Mass. Then will come torch bearers, reminding us that Jesus is the light of the world. Then, the thurifer with the smoke rising up with our prayers to God. Then, will comes in the monstrance. Then, two more torchbearers, followed by the lector, and then any of you who wish to join in follow.
Why have a Eucharistic Procession? To witness to our belief that it truly is Jesus. Let God into your heart and you will know it is Jesus.
As we process, once we are all outside, all are invited to join in the Litany to the Sacred Heart (found in the program) led by one of our parishioners.
Then, we will return to church, where I will again incense the Blessed Sacrament and then bless you with the Blessed Sacrament with the Sign of the Cross (known as Benediction).
I pray that you all know in the depths of your heart and your soul that it is Jesus.