Solemnity Corpus Christi

Sunday, June 6 The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ CORPUS CHRISTI 2010 Homily: Fr. Raymond Each and every one of the seven Sacraments of our faith is described by the old catechism formula of: “An outward sign of inward grace”. In the case of the Eucharist the outward sign is simple and obvious: it is the outward appearances of the bread and wine; but the inward grace is a much more complex matter. The outward signs of bread and wine would convey to us the great truth that just as natural bread and wine are food and drink for the body, so the sacramental bread and wine are spiritual food and drink for the soul; and this of course is true as far as it goes. In other words, just as natural food and drink give nourishment and growth to the body, so do the sacramental bread and wine give spiritual nourishment and growth to the soul. Likewise, natural food maintains our physical strength for the business and hardships of life and this reminds us of the story of the angel telling Elijah to rise and partake of the miraculous bread and drink or the journey to the meeting place with God would be too much for him. So here we have some of the effects of the Eucharist brought home to us by the outward signs of bread and wine. We are taught by these signs that in the Eucharist we gain not only growth and nourishment and strength, but also stamina, that is to say the virtue of perseverance. But there remains one other outward sign whose significance is so great that we can hardly dare to imagine it: this is the outward sign of the actual eating of the elements. By our consumption of the natural elements of bread and wine we turn these elements into our very own substance. They become part of our very life, our very being, we live by them. So, by our consumption of the sacred elements of the Eucharist we have another, and unique meaning to the outward sign of the Eucharist: it conveys the incredible truth that we live in intimate communion with the Lord. “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I in him.” “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him and he with me.” Thus the Eucharist ensures that the essential meaning of what it is to be a Christian is unmistakenly brought home to us. Our religion is one not just of belief in God; it is not just one of worship of God, nor is it just one of obedience to God. It is, in fact, a religion of intimate communion of love with God and it is impossible to partake of this wondrous sacrament without being made aware of this. Such is the loving wisdom of God in instituting this sacrament of sacraments.