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Corpus Christi: Time to focus on Christ's love for us
Based on Gn 14:18-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Lk 9:11b-17
Bread and wine, sharing and self-giving service are part of the readings for this feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), especially in the Gospel.
Thousands of people spend the day listening to Jesus. He teaches them about God, cures their sicknesses and heals their disabilities.
At day’s end, the apostles tell Jesus to dismiss the people so they can find food and lodging for the night. Jesus tells the apostles, “Give them some food yourselves.” They reply they have only five barley loaves and two fish.
Jesus tells his apostles to have the people sit down in groups of 50. He took the five loaves and two fish, blessed, broke and gave them to the apostles to distribute. “They all ate and were satisfied.” The apostles retrieved 12 baskets of leftovers.
Corpus Christi should help us focus on Christ’s love for us – he gave his Body on the cross at Calvary, he gives his Body in holy Communion and in the communion we have with each other in the church as his Body on earth.
That is why the feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi and the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart.
Looking at Christ’s heart – pierced and open on the cross or revealed to St. Margaret Mary ablaze with love for us and pierced with thorns of human sin and indifference – should prompt us to adoration, prayer and thanksgiving, to reparation for our sins and to love for others as he loved us. (For further information, go to www.apostleshipofprayer.org).
On earth, Jesus lived, died and rose for us. He is still with us – in the Scriptures, in the church and even under the appearances of bread and wine in the Eucharist – all for love of us.
Jesus, your love is beyond our imagination. Help us to give our hearts to you.
