[Scripture reading: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26]
The feast of Corpus Christi represents a celebration of what is at the very heart of our existence as a Christian community: a remembrance of the continuing real presence of the person of Jesus in the Eucharist. At Holy Thursday, we celebrate the Institution of the Eucharist, so the feast of Corpus Christi reminds us not just of its place as a pivotal moment as part of the Easter event but of the Eucharist’s central importance of reminding us of Jesus’ ongoing presence in the life of the Church. This is why on this feast the Church chooses a Gospel account of Jesus blessing the bread and wine, and sharing it with the communion of disciples.
Essential in Mark’s account that we read today are the words of Jesus after blessing the bread and wine: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Here, the Evangelist Mark reminds us that one of the central functions of the Eucharist is to remind us of the Resurrection hope that awaits all of us.
Jesus, a Jew, celebrated the Passover with His disciples but reinterpreted that central feast of His faith tradition by using the elements of bread and wine to reflect what will become for all future disciples: the means by which we enter into the unique relationship that Jesus had with God, His Father. In this way, Eucharist is a sign of something bigger than itself. It is a celebration of an ongoing living Christian community.
From the way a community celebrates its Eucharist, one can sense whether it is a living or dying community. St Paul reminds us of the challenge to be a living community: “though there are many of us, we form a single body because we all share in this one loaf” (1 Cor 10:17).
So, when we come to the Eucharist, we should not come to the table simply as a personal act. Yes, we bring ourselves, but we should do so with a sense of community. Each and every person present at that celebration is there because they desire to partake in what the Eucharist offers: a sharing in the gift of the real presence of Jesus, alive in our midst, under the inspiration of the Spirit-Advocate. If we do not see those others present as our brothers and sisters, then we are not really reflecting an attitude of being the one body of Christ. Hence, we need to have a sense of being a part of a community before we enter the place where the Eucharist is being celebrated. We are not going to suddenly become a community living out the hope of the Resurrection after we come in.
In and through the Eucharist, we need to understand that Jesus is calling us into communion not just with Him but with all those who are also present at that celebration of the Eucharist. Maybe, this is why we have the sign of peace before we receive communion. We need to be able to see Christ in those we celebrate with if we are truly going to receive Him into our hearts. In this way, the Eucharist becomes the celebration of a living and vibrant community that brings together people of all ages, and all walks of life into forging a future vision for humankind.
Through celebrating Eucharist together, each person – in our own way, but with the support of the wider worshipping community – truly believes that we can work together to bring about the Kingdom of God/Heaven. This action can only be cemented by our participation in the Eucharist; but begins before the celebration of Eucharist, by having a heart that is open to doing what is required to work for justice, peace, and hope in our families, our communities, and our world.
This is why the feast of Corpus Christi is so important for today’s world. It is a feast that shows that the Christian community is willing to take on the message of Christ into our own hearts to enable transformation. The feast reminds us that Christ set us an example to give witness to a life of service and sacrifice that can transform not only ourselves, but others, our communities, and nations.
The feast of Corpus Christi is not simply a commemoration of something that happened 2000 years ago. It is, in a spirit of remembrance and thanksgiving, a celebration of what makes us what we are today, as individuals and as a Church. We are called to be Gospel people of hope, sharing in the words and works of Jesus, and becoming like Him in His life and death. This means that we must be open to the power of the Resurrection, God’s gift to a broken world.
The Eucharist transforms the death of Jesus into the celebration of a living Body, the Church, of which we are an integral part. It is up to each of us, with the help of Jesus through the Spirit-Advocate, to celebrate as a people who accept the challenge to become more and more aware that we are all part of Christ’s body. The more we grow in this awareness of Christ’s living and acting through each one of us, the more meaningful will be our gathering around His table to share together our Christian faith, hope, and love.
Finally, this celebration of Corpus Christi can give witness to the transformative power of love that is at the heart of Jesus’ death and resurrection. At the heart of God’s kingdom is God’s desire for the human flourishing of all persons. Corpus Christi gives us that hope.
Br Dr Paul Creevey FMS is a Marist Brother who has been a teacher and administrator. He worked in Marist schools in Queensland, NSW, and the ACT in various leadership roles before leaving to complete his doctoral studies in John’s Gospel at KU Leuven, in Belgium.
This article was originally published in the 2024 Ordinary Time | Winter edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine. You canread the digital version hereor pick up a copy in your local parish.
