Tag Archives: Body and Blood

LOOK BEYOND THE BREAD YOU EAT…

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Sunday 7th June –Solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Reflection: Mark 14: 22-26

LOOK BEYOND THE BREAD YOU EAT…

The body and blood express the life of the being that possesses them. Christ once taught His disciples in these words at the close of His earthly life: “Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). There is therefore no greater expression of love than a sacrifice of life in its totality.

God; who is Love, gives His life in the sacrifice of His begotten Son (true God from true God and consubstantial with the Father). Christ out of perfect love gave a sacrifice of Himself for the salvation of the world at the first Eucharistic feast (Mass) during the Passover; with a perfect accomplishment of this ‘once for all’ sacrifice by His death on the Cross (Hebrews 9:12-14). At the Last Supper, He instituted the Eucharist as a memorial of His infinite Love. He gave us a daily nourishment of His true life: in the appearance of bread and wine that we may live His life of Love here on earth and join in the unending feast in heaven. With this perfect sacrifice, He sealed His covenant of love with us; as with the Israelites when Moses sprinkled the blood of sacrificed oxen after all the people had promised to live by the same divine covenant (Exodus 24: 3-8).

Friends in Christ, today we celebrate God’s love for us fully expressed in the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. Let us learn from Christ’s sacrifice as we feast at His table. Let us love as we have been loved: this is living by the divine commandment. Look beyond the bread you eat, see your savior and God. Look beyond the wine you drink, see His love for the world.

PRAYER: Dear God, give me perfect love like Yours. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 211 – How important is the Eucharist for the Church?

The celebration of the Eucharist is the heart of the Christian communion. In it the Church becomes Church.
We are not Church because we get along well, or because we happen to end up in the same parish community, but rather because in the Eucharist we receive the Body of Christ and are increasingly being transformed into the Body of Christ.

HIDE A TREASURE: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” John 6: 56 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Exodus 24: 3-8; Psalm 116: 12-13, 15-18; Mark 14: 12-16, 22-26

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THE LIVING BREAD

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Thursday 23rd April – Thursday of the 3rd week of Eastertide

Reflection: John 6:44-51

THE LIVING BREAD

Have you ever thought of what your Christian faith would be like if you were not Catholic? You may say: “there is really no big deal…I have many friends who are sincere Christians but are not Catholic and they are happy with their lives.” Sure, there are many Christians who love the Lord but do not have the privilege to be Catholic. They do not have the privilege of receiving Christ, the living bread which you and I have.

You can only understand and appreciate your Catholic faith when you sincerely believe Jesus’ words in today’s reading: “I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51). Do you truly believe Jesus’ words? Your attitude to Mass and the Holy Eucharist will prove if you do.

Beloved, what is preventing you from receiving the Holy Eucharist? Is it lust, fornication, abortion, cultism, lies, examination malpractices and other immoral acts? You do not have to wallow in mortal sin and exempt yourself from the table of the Lord. God calls you today to turn away from all that leads to death. He has provided you with the Sacrament of Reconciliation to grant you forgiveness and help you participate in His life giving Body and Blood.

Today, thank God for the gift of your Catholic faith, make a decision to be reconciled with God in confession and approach His table of love so as to be united with Him and strengthened for your spiritual journey.

PRAYER: Sanctify my soul oh Lord, make me always worthy before you. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 1395 –  By the same charity that it enkindles in us, the Eucharist preserves us from future mortal sins…The Eucharist is not ordered for the forgiveness of mortal sins – that is proper to the sacrament of Reconciliation.

HIDE A TREASURE: “I am the bread of life” John 6:48 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Acts 8: 26-40; Psalm 66: 8-9, 16-17, 20; John 6:44-51