Corpus Christi Sunday

The final "out of the ordinary" Sunday celebration before we return to Ordinary Time is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi. This feast was established to celebrate in a special way the Eucharist that our Lord gave us on the night before died. This celebration is meant to remind us of what we as Catholics believe about the Eucharist, specifically the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. There are various stories related to where the feast originated, but St. Thomas Aquinas was a large part of its becoming a universal feast celebrated by the entire Church. In fact, his well known hymn Pange Lingua was written specifically for the celebration of this great feast.

In our readings for this feast, a major focus is on the "blood of the covenant." We hear from Exodus of Moses sprinkling the blood of young bulls offered as sacrifice on the Hebrew people, saying "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you." The letter to the Hebrews then tells us, "For if the blood of goats and bulls... can sanctify those who are defiled... how much more will the blood of Christ... cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God." All of this points to the Last Supper, which we hear from Mark's Gospel this year, when Jesus says, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many."

As we reflect upon Jesus' continuing presence with us in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, let us give great thanks! For, by his offering of his body and his blood on the cross, Christ has set us free! And, by giving his body and blood to us in this Sacrament, he offers us himself and the grace that comes from receiving his real presence to strengthen us to show forth his love to all the world!

Want to prepare your heart and mind for Corpus Christi Sunday's Mass? Click here to find the readings.