THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
First Reading: Exodus 2: 3-8
Second Reading: Hebrews 9: 11-15
Gospel Reading: Mark 14: 12-16 and 22-26
*First reading is from the book of Exodus. A detailed description of the covenant that Lord God made with Moses on behalf of the people of Israel is given. This covenant was sealed with the blood of animals. The covenant made between the Lord God and Moses was a pre-figuration of the new covenant that Jesus made and sealed with His own precious blood on Calvary.
*Second reading is from the letter of St, Paul to Hebrews. Jesus is portrayed as the High Priest who offers His own blood for the redemption and salvation of all humankind. He is the mediator between God and humankind. He brings eternal redemption to everyone who believes in Him.
Take: This is my body... This is my blood. Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark. We have a detailed description of the events of the Last Supper of Jesus with His Apostles. At the Last Supper Jesus instituted the Eucharist and gave His body as food for us and His blood as the life-giving drink for all eternity. Unlike the old covenant which was sealed by the blood of animals, the new covenant is sealed with the blood of Jesus the Son of God. In the Eucharist we are sharing in the very life of Christ in totality. Hence the feast of the body and blood of Christ gives us an opportunity to be thankful for the most precious gift of the Eucharist and for the abiding and real presence of the Lord Jesus in our midst. This feast should help us in the following ways: 1. By the reception of the Eucharist we are intimately united with the Lord and we become part of Jesus. Hence our life has to be transformed so as to become more like that of Jesus. 2. This is a day of humble acceptance of God's gift and it challenges us to live up to the expectations of the Lord who is always abiding in us.
"At the time of communion not only we receive Jesus but Jesus also receives us as the member of His body." - St. Pope John Paul II
"If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion." - St. Maximillian Kolbe
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