FATHER JOEL’S REFLECTION
The Feast of Corpus Christi: “The Body & Blood of Christ”
This feast in honor of the Blessed Sacrament is indebted to the devotion of St. Juliana. Since the Holy Thursday commemoration of the Last Supper occurs during Lent and is connected to the sadness of Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, and condemnation, St. Juliana wanted a feast where the Church could celebrate this priceless gift with unrestrained joy. It became a universal feast in the church in 1264 AD.
Some important truths that we celebrate on this Feast include:
-After the consecration of the bread and wine by a validly ordained priest, the substance of the elements is changed and become a TRUE, REAL and SUBSTANTIAL Presence of Jesus: His body and blood, soul and divinity. Beneath the appearance of bread and wine is the real presence of the crucified and risen Lord.
-The Mass is the sacramental re-presentation of the SACRIFICE of Calvary so as to communicate its saving graces to the people of this time and this place.
- The presence of Christ REMAINS in the consecrated bread and wine after the Mass is over. That is why the extra hosts are reserved with care in the Tabernacle, and the sacred vessels are carefully purified.
-Please GENUFLECT on one knee towards the Tabernacle upon entering and leaving the church to be mindful of Christ’s continuing sacramental presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
-The Church has a saying in Latin, “Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi”, which might be stated this way: “How we PRAY shapes how we BELIEVE, and how we Believe shapes how we LIVE.” If we don’t worship consistent with what we believe, (over time) we will change our beliefs to be consistent with how we worship. That is why we strive to celebrate the Mass properly.
-REVERENCE at church is acting in a way that is consistent with what we believe about the Mass and the Real Presence.
Reverence at Mass shows our love for God and our love for neighbor in practical ways at church. We act differently at Mass than we do at a social hall, pub, etc., because Mass is different. This includes maintaining a prayerful atmosphere in the church so people around us can pray. Please silence phones when you enter church; please no gum in church; and please dress appropriately for Church, something like “Business Casual” as the Word of God teaches us that we are to dress Modestly.
Let us strive to worship with Reverence, Love, and Joy!