By Msgr. Joseph P. Calise
WHEN WE USE the words “Body of Christ,” we are usually making a reference to the Eucharist. Relying on Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, “Take and eat, this is my body,” we know the uniqueness of the host we receive at Mass even though the process of transubstantiation, the process through which the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus, remains a mystery. We are taught, at least from the second grade, that our “Amen” means we know that we are receiving Jesus’ body in the Blessed Sacrament.
In his Letter to the Corinthians (I Cor. 12:27), St. Paul extends the meaning of the words “Body of Christ” to signify the Church. Ideally, the Universal Church is a sign of the presence of Christ to the world. In baptism, our unity to Christ is sacramentalized in our unity to the Church. When this is expressed in love and service, we become the hands and hearts of Christ.
The Word Made Flesh
The Gospel today invites us to celebrate the third understanding of those words – and perhaps, the most obvious – His physical body, present to the world for 33 years.
In the verses that precede today’s Gospel, the Archangel Gabriel has just announced to Mary that she was to be the Mother of the Son of the Most High.
As testimony to God’s power working in her, she is told that her elderly kinswoman, Elizabeth, is also with child. Hearing the news, her first impulse is to run to Elizabeth to offer help. She humbly puts her relative’s potential need ahead of her own confusing circumstances.
John (the Baptist), being formed in the womb of Elizabeth, becomes aware of the presence of Jesus when Mary appears and by leaping in the womb announces His presence to Elizabeth. She, in turn, praises God for His goodness and in her own act of humility, questions who she is to merit a visit from the mother of her Lord.
The presence of the physical body of Jesus in the world automatically sets off a chain reaction of loving service and faithful praise. The physical body is already creating the ecclesiastical body.
New Every Day
The time is drawing near for our annual celebration of the birthday of the historical Jesus, the day the Word became actual flesh.
The ecclesial Body of Christ is invited to celebrate the presence of the human Body of Christ at the table of the Eucharistic Body of Christ. We will celebrate a moment that occurred 2,000 years ago, but still makes us who we are by remaining new every day.
As we offer one another the sign of peace before receiving communion, most of us will probably say, “Merry Christmas,” which means, “May the birth of Christ bring you joy.”
John leapt in his mother’s womb with joy at the presence of Christ; may the presence of Christ we celebrate today so fill us with joy that we too offer words of praise to God and deeds of love and service to one another.
Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Micah 5: 1-4A
Psalm 80: 2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Hebrews 10: 5-10
Luke 1: 39-45
Msgr. Calise is the pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka and Transfiguration parish, Maspeth.
