Today is the celebration of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.
"While on Holy Thursday, we commemorate the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, today is for giving thanks and adoration. And in fact, there is a traditional procession with the Most Holy Sacrament on this day. To adore Eucharistic Jesus and to walk with Him. These are two inseparable aspects of today's feast, two aspects that characterize the entire life of the Christian people: a people who adore God and a people who walk: who do not stand still, who journey!"
While they were eating, He took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is My Body." Then He took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is My Blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Mark 14:22-24
Corpus Christi is a time of thanksgiving and adoration for the gift of the Holy Eucharist. It is also a time when our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is exposed and carried in procession in a public way, bringing Jesus outside the Church to the rest of the world.
"Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They are ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve baskets." Luke 9:16-17
On this Solemnity of Corpus Christi, I recall some beautiful memories when my husband and I were on a pilgrimage in Lourdes, France in 2016. We were there on a day there was an annual meeting of altar servers from all over France. We were so blessed to witness a Eucharistic procession of 2,500 priests, seminarians, altar servers and their families. It was the most beautiful sight to be in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament during this procession in front of the grotto where Our Lady appeared to Saint Bernadette. The world would have you believe the faith is not alive but do not believe the world. The faith is alive and living in all these families in France, as well as families throughout the whole world. Lourdes is a place of peace where the presence of Our Lady is felt and where families come from all over the world to know her and to know the peace that comes from Jesus in the Eucharist.
"For we are members of His Body, of His flesh and of His bones." Ephesians 5:30
As you prepare receive the Bread from Heaven, invite the Lord to come into the home of your heart in a new way. Ask Him for an encounter with the living God that you may be changed by this encounter and that this encounter will lead you on a journey, walking with the living God, and inviting others to walk with you.
As you prepare receive the Bread from Heaven, invite the Lord to come into the home of your heart in a new way. Ask Him for an encounter with the living God that you may be changed by this encounter and that this encounter will lead you on a journey, walking with the living God, and inviting others to walk with you.
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever." John 6:51
The Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is a powerful encounter. Jesus gave Himself to us in the Eucharist to nourish us spiritually, the Bread of Life, food for the journey through life.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment thine.
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