The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, 6th June, 2021

Gospel Mark:  14:12-16. 22-26
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, his disciples said to him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the passover?’ So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the city and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him, and say to the owner of the house which he enters, “The Master says: Where is my dining room in which I can eat the passover with my disciples?” He will show you a large upper room furnished with couches, all prepared. Make the preparations for us there,’ The disciples set out and went to the city and found everything as he had told them, and prepared the Passover.

And as they were eating he took some bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to them. ‘Take it,’ he said ‘this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had returned thanks he gave it to them, and all drank from it, and he said to them, ‘This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many. I tell you solemnly, I shall not drink any more wine until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God.’
After psalms had been sung they left for the Mount of Olives.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Donal Neary SJ
Gospel Reflections
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Gift for all Time

The main feast of the Eucharist is Holy Thursday. The Corpus Christ feast was originated partly to stress the joy of the Eucharist which might be somewhat lost in the more sombre Holy week.  While Holy Thursday also includes the washing of the feet, this feast is simply to commemorate the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist.

The body and blood of Jesus is the life of the Lord, ‘given to us’. This gift is for all times. At scenes where Jesus feeds the people in the gospel, much is always left over. This is a sign of wanting to give his love for the life of the world for all time.  This live, to death and resurrection, is commemorated in a real way at every Mass.

When a priest or minister gives communion, we are aware of the special moment this is for so many people. It is a moment of asking for help in life, for peace of mind, for the presence of the Lord. At a time of illness or bereavement we may recall the lift of grace when communion was brought to us. On our side it is our promise also to share the Lord in different ways of love in our own lives.

Remember a time when receiving Communion
bright you peace, joy or comfort.
It is right and just O Lord to give you thanks

Gospel and Gosple Reflection are taken from  Mass Readings and Sunday Homily - Catholicireland.net.