Feast of Corpus Christi : Sunday: C: June 19, 2022

 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. A description about Melchizedek's- the king of Salem- meeting with Abraham is given. Melchizedek offered bread and wine to Abraham and he made a profession of faith in one true God. In Christian tradition, the symbol of bread and wine is a pre-figuration of the Eucharist: the body and blood of Christ. 

   *Second reading is from the first letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul instructs the Christians in Corinth regarding the first Eucharistic celebration at the last supper. Paul explains to them and to us that when we celebrate the Eucharist we are not merely making Christ's body and blood present but in fact we are re-enacting His death by which Jesus brought salvation to the humankind. 

The miracle of loaves                                                           Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. The details of the multiplication of five loaves and two fish by Jesus in the desert is narrated. On that day Jesus fed more than five thousand people with five loaves and two fish. He worked this miracle in the desert out of compassion for the people so that those who followed Him may not die due to hunger on their return journey home. At the last supper Jesus shared His own body and blood for us so that we might have eternal life by participating in the Eucharist. There are mainly four reasons why we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi. 1. First of all, this feast is celebrated to reaffirm our faith that Jesus is truly and really present in the Eucharistic bread and wine. The bread and wine we partake in the Eucharist are transformed into the precious 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 and blessings we have received through the presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. 4. Fourthly, this feast is celebrated in order to make us aware of the great gift of the Eucharist and the need to receive the Holy Communion frequently to obtain spiritual nourishment for our daily tasks. May the Body and Blood of Christ give us eternal life!

"God dwells in our midst in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar." - St. Maximilian 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." - St. 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