The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/060715.cfm) reminds me of the saving power of God
As we commemorate Corpus Christi, or the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, we see the saving power of Jesus.
In the first reading, we see Moses facilitating the covenant between God and the people. The people at that time agreed to obey all that God told them through Moses. This covenant was sealed by the offering of the blood of holocausts and sacrifices. However, the people broke the first covenant. They did not always follow God, in fact, they even rebelled against God, so the covenant was broken. This is when Jesus comes in.
Jesus is the new covenant – between us sinners and the Almighty God.
In the second reading, we see a new, more powerful covenant – this time sealed not with the blood of animals offered as sacrifices, but by the blood of God’s only begotten Son. We see Jesus’ love and power. The powerful, unblemished Son of God sacrificed himself for us, sinners. Jesus came, died and rose again to give us life – life to the fullest.
In the gospel, we see Jesus himself instituting the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. He gave us his body and blood. As Catholics, we are blessed because we believe that the consecrated wine and host during mass is the actual body and blood of Christ, and not just representations as some believe. Everytime we attend mass, we have the opportunity to partake of it. To be one with him. And for him to consume us and be one with us. God loves us so much and he is capable of saving us. We just need to make the decision to accept him and allow Him to do so, and allowing Him to consume us during mass makes it easier to make that decision.
What is the significance of the Holy Eucharist for me? Do I believe that it is the actual body and blood of Christ? Do I make the most out of it? Am I willing to accept Christ in my life and allow him to take control of my life?
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for sending your only Son to die for me. Thank you for loving me however unworthy I am. Thank you for a very beautiful gift of the Holy Eucharist. I pray that I would always remember the importance and power of it. May I always do my best and prepare to receive you each time I hear mass. Give me the heart and the desire to always be thirsty for you and make the most out of the Eucharist. May I always remember how much you love me, and in turn, love you the best way I can. Amen.
Blessed Sunday!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
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June 7, 2015
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
Lectionary: 168
Reading 1 Ex 24:3-8
When Moses came to the people
and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD,
they all answered with one voice,
"We will do everything that the LORD has told us."
Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and,
rising early the next day,
he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar
and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then, having sent certain young men of the Israelites
to offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls
as peace offerings to the LORD,
Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls;
the other half he splashed on the altar.
Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people,
who answered, "All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do."
Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying,
"This is the blood of the covenant
that the LORD has made with you
in accordance with all these words of his."
Responsorial Psalm Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
R. (13) I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Reading 2 Heb 9:11-15
Brothers and sisters:
When Christ came as high priest
of the good things that have come to be,
passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle
not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation,
he entered once for all into the sanctuary,
not with the blood of goats and calves
but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls
and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes
can sanctify those who are defiled
so that their flesh is cleansed,
how much more will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from dead works
to worship the living God.
For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant:
since a death has taken place for deliverance
from transgressions under the first covenant,
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
Alleluia Jn 6:51
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the living bread that came down from heaven,
says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live forever.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Mk 14:12-16, 22-26
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
Jesus’ disciples said to him,
"Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
"Go into the city and a man will meet you,
carrying a jar of water.
Follow him.
Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'
Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
Make the preparations for us there."
The disciples then went off, entered the city,
and found it just as he had told them;
and they prepared the Passover.
While they were eating,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, 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.
Amen, I say to you,
I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine
until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Then, after singing a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
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