By Kathleen Bordo Crombie
“Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.” ~ John 6:56
The Sequence Hymn titled “Lauda, Sion, Salvatorem” is an optional hymn sung on Corpus Christi Sunday (The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ) immediately before the Alleluia and the Gospel. Twenty-four verses in all, the one that begged my attention was:
“What he did at supper seated,
Christ ordained to be repeated,
His memorial ne’er to cease.”
At the Last Supper, the “supper seated,” Jesus instituted the Eucharist with the Apostles before embracing his Passion and Death on the Cross, before He willingly offered his flesh and blood to His Father for our redemption. This memorial and reception of His most precious Body and Blood is what “Christ ordained to be repeated.” Jesus never meant for the Eucharistic celebration to be a one-time deal; “His memorial ne’er to cease.” Every day there are opportunities at Holy Mass to receive the Body and Blood of the Only Begotten Son of God, who was made flesh and died for our sins. Do we fully understand what that means? How is it that we are so highly blessed to receive Jesus Christ (Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity)?
In the Flesh
Today’s Feast of Corpus Christi is a reminder that Jesus did not abandon us after his Ascension into Heaven. Although He is no longer walking on this earth, out of an unfathomable love for us He instituted the Eucharist so we can remain united with Him both physically and spiritually. Jesus proclaims in today’s Gospel, “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them” (John 6:56). This is His promise that He is still with us via the sacrifice of the altar consecrated through the hands of a validly ordained priest. In great humility and reverence, we can approach the Lamb of God to receive Him in the flesh through the Eucharist; not as a symbol or a feel-good thought, but literally His flesh and blood. There are no words to describe this incredible gift the Lord has given us.
Warning!
BUT, when we receive the Eucharist we must receive it worthily. Saint Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:27–29, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves.”
Run, Don’t Walk!
St. Paul is very clear about receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. He is passionately warning us that to do so in the state of unconfessed mortal sin is sacrilege layered on top of any additional unabsolved mortal sin on one’s soul. In other words, do not approach the altar to receive the Eucharist until the repentant sinner is absolved through the Sacrament of Reconciliation; the sacrament of God’s mercy that restores His friendship with us. Praise God that He finds us worthy of His many gifts!
Prayer:
Lord, when I present myself to receive You in the Eucharist during Holy Mass, I pray that I am not only spiritually prepared, but highly cognizant of the moment in which I receive You, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Ignite the fire of Your love in my heart so that I am never lukewarm or distracted. You are the King of Kings, my Creator and Redeemer, the God I worship and serve. Amen.
Call to Action:
How frequently do you receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation? A good practice is to go frequently. God’s graces overflow through this sacrament of mercy. Pull out your calendar and schedule your next Confession just like you do a meeting or lunch with a friend. And after that, consider adding once a month for the next year to see how those graces ignite your spirituality.
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After reading your blog, I reread the whole Corpus Christi Sequence; what a beautiful meditation on Our Lord as the Pascal Lamb. Thanks, Kathy!
After reading your blog, I realize how much work I have to do to receive GOD more fully and theLOVE he has for me. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful moment!