by Sister Karen Cavanagh, C.S.J.
THE FEAST OF Corpus Christi, which the Church entitles a solemnity, a feast of special commemoration and celebration, reminds us as we prepare for Ordinary Time that God chooses the ordinary.
The ordinary becomes the extraordinary in Jesus’ teachings, on how we are called to live and in the miracles of healing and of a life that never ends. The Scriptures present us with ordinary scenes, with simple foods and with “in progress” peoples being reminded of God’s call and power in Christ Jesus. The lessons are simple but not easy. The message is powerful and gentle. Most insistently, they are for all the times of our lives.
Do we really believe? Do we understand the mystery? Even if we did, even if we could, do we understand and say “yes” to the message and the challenge in our everyday lives? Today we remember the grace of God made flesh – Jesus the Christ – given as gift and food for the journey. The Church celebrates this gift with solemnity, praise, procession and gratitude. However, do we fully realize the impact and response it should have in and on our lives?
We are the Body of Christ because we become what Jesus gave us in simple bread and wine – we become His very self, we become Christ. This is what we celebrate today. We’re chosen to do with our everyday lives what we see being done in today’s readings and celebration. It’s as though Jesus is aware that the Holy Thursday message is more than we can absorb all at once or is more than we can absorb for all times.
A few weeks back, my parish hosted a Mass of Inclusion. It was the final prayer of a retreat afternoon for persons with disabilities. At first, I thought it had a rather strange title, but since then I’ve been reflecting on the challenge and lessons it witnessed. Men and women ministered the Word from their wheelchairs; others commentated for persons who are visually impaired and sign interpreted for those who are deaf. Father Jim Bradley preached with his words, his person and his belief in the mystery of God’s presence with us.
Today, as we celebrate this solemnity, my memory goes back to that day and to the powerful message of the title and its theme: The Body of Christ is not whole unless all are included.
Isn’t this what we remember, celebrate and believe today? In the Scripture readings, Melchizedek takes bread and wine and offers it as a blessing for Abram, who, in turn, shares of his own abundance. Paul reminds the people of Corinth that no one is to be excluded or offered the scraps from the table which Jesus sets and hosts. In the Gospel, Jesus, Himself, feeds an extraordinary multitude with ordinary provisions. He clearly admonishes and shows His disciples both His mission and their call.
The gift of Christ’s Body and Blood – the gift of the Eucharist – is a prayer of thanksgiving. It is the definition of the word, Eucharist, and should be the stance of us who share in it. Through sharing simple gifts of bread and wine, Jesus gives us His all – for all – and for all time. The power of Christ’s gift of self and presence in the Eucharist feeds us, strengthens us, empowers us to be one, to be a sacred community, to be disciples who empower each other by including, inviting, welcoming, sharing, reverencing and, to the best of our abilities, making sure that each one has all she or he needs.
Each of today’s readings holds up for our response the challenge to not only say “Amen!” but also to believe and to act on our belief – offering and breaking open our lives for each other.
Several years ago at Eucharist in my Motherhouse Chapel, I was an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. My ministry was to offer the chalice. Sister Mary approached and as I lifted it toward her I said, “The Blood of Christ.” As she took the chalice, she responded, “I believe it.” What a difference those words seemed to me as I heard her response. Since that day, when I receive the Eucharist I recall that response, and I speak it in my heart. At times, my belief lets me speak it. Is that not what we are saying with our “Amen?” Do we really believe it?
If I believe – if I truly realize that we are the Body of Christ today – then I accept the challenge to do my all (which is my best) toward its wholeness. I acknowledge that God’s commands (Yes, commands!) are not just for a time, for weekends or retreats, for Sunday Mass or even for solemnities, but for all times. They are not just for some of us, for good days or favorable circumstances or favorable companions on the journey.
Our lives as the disciples of Jesus are for service to each other and for the bringing forth of God’s reign of unity and peace in our families, in our neighborhoods, in our communities, in our world and in the hearts of all.
Do we believe it? The answer is simple but not easy: “Amen!”[hr]
Readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Genesis 14: 18-20
Psalm 110: 1, 2, 3, 4
1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
Luke 9: 11b-17
Sister Karen Cavanagh C.S.J., a trained spiritual director and retreat facilitator, is a pastoral associate/family minister at St. Nicholas of Tolentine parish, Jamaica.