Feast of Corpus Christi, Sunday :C

"FEAST OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

First Reading: Genesis 14: 18-20
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel Reading : Luke 9: 11-17

   * First reading is from the book of Genesis. This passage gives us the details of Melchizedek, the King of Salem meeting Abraham. Melchizedek offered bread and wine to Abraham and made profession of faith in one true God. In Christian tradition,the symbol of bread and wine is a pre-figuration of Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ.

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. In this passage, Paul tells the Christians in Corinth regarding the first Eucharistic celebration at the last Supper. Paul explains to them and us that when we celebrate the Eucharist, we are not merely making present Christ's Body and Blood , but we are in fact reenacting His death by which Jesus saved us.

"The Miracle of Loaves"
Today's Gospel reading is from Luke. In this passage, we have the details of multiplication of five loaves and two fish by Jesus in the desert. He fed five thousand people by this miracle. Jesus worked this miracle in the desert so that people who followed Him may not die due to hunger on their return journey home. Later on, He shared His Body and Blood at the last Supper for us, so that, we may have eternal life by participating in the Eucharist.
There are four main reasons why we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi.
1. First of all, this feat is celebrated to reaffirm our faith,  that Jesus is truly and really present in the Eucharistic Bread and Wine. The bread and wine we receive in the Eucharist is transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ.
2. Secondly, this  feast is celebrated  as a reparation for all the blasphemy, irreverence and dishonour done to the Eucharistic Lord.
3. Thirdly, this feast is celebrated to give thanks for all the graces we  have received through the Blessed Sacrament.
4. Fourthly, this feast is to make us aware of the great gift of Eucharist and the need to receive Holy Communion frequently to give spiritual nourishment.
"May the Body and Blood of Christ give us eternal life"
"God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament  of the altar"- St. Maximillon Kolbe
"In each of our lives, Jesus comes as Bread of life- to be eaten, to be consumed by us. This is how He loves us"- Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
"If Christ did not want to dismiss the Jews without food in the desert for fear that they would collapse on the way, it was to teach us that it is dangerous to try to get to heaven without the Bread of Heaven"- St. Jerome.

The Feast of the Holy Trinity: Sunday:C

HOLY TRINITY:ONE GOD,THREE PERSONS

First Reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Gospel Reading: John 16: 12-15

   *First reading is from the book of Proverbs. This passage describes the Wisdom of God which came into existence before the whole of creation-the earth and all that it contains, and the heavens and everything in it. Hence, the idea of Wisdom was a pre-figuration of the revelation of the mystery of Holy Trinity. Wisdom here stands for the Son of God,(the eternal Word) who existed from the beginning. 

   * Second reading is from the letter of St.Paul to Romans. This passage explains to us the Trinitarian aspect of God. We experience peace with God through Jesus. This gives us the hope of sharing in His glory, a hope which sustains us even in times of sufferings and pain. Love of God is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Therefore is is the Holy Spirit who helps us to recognize the Father's love for us.

The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit
Today's Gospel reading is from St. John. This passage speaks of Jesus' promise of the  Holy Spirit to his disciples. The work of the Holy Spirit is manifold: that is to guide us into all truth and to give us guidance for future by declaring what is to come. Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus.
The Feast of Holy Trinity reminds us that there is only one God but three persons,each living in harmony and perfect unity. This mystery is not something to argue about or even to study. It is more of something to pray about and live. The Christian lives in the world of the Father, the Son and the Spirit. We need to realize that God is my Father, I am His child. He loves me even though I am unworthy of His love. Christ the Son of God is my brother. He died and brought salvation for me. Through Him all other people have become my brothers and sisters. And the Holy Spirit is the bond of love between us all.
Let our prayer to the Holy Trinity be, that we too may experience the same love and unity which is in Trinity.
"Given that God the Father is both personal and supremely good, it is proper to think of Him as loving a person from eternity. This other person is the Son and the love between them is the Holy Spirit."- St.Thomas Aquinas (on Trinity)
"The only way to engage God is to meet one of the three in time. We meet the Father as creator, the Son as Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as the dispenser of God's Grace"-T. Wilson.