CORPUS CHRISTI

CORPUS CHRISTI

In our celebrating the solemnity of the Body of Christ, today's readings bring us closer to this mystery through its sacrificial meaning by which a legal act between two parties is recognized: there is an alliance. In ancient times, alliances were made and agreed upon at the price of the blood of some animal presented in sacrifice, as today's first reading tells us (Ex 24:3-8). However, the second reading (Heb 9:11-15) It gives us a comparison between the Old Covenant with God and the New Covenant with God at the price of the blood of the Son. In this reading, we are reminded that with Christ the new covenant is not like the

previous covenant, when an entire people could access a legal justification, an external purification, something apparent; With the blood of Christ, purification is effective, purification really happens in people who, allowing themselves to be guided by the Spirit of God, can recognize the Son of God in Jesus Christ, and that in his sacrifice we have been given new life, the action of Christ. Not only does it justify us before the Father, but we are truly pure to be before the Father (as long as we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ).

By celebrating the solemnity of the Body of Christ, we also once again make a public act of faith, together as the Church, that Christ is truly present in the consecrated bread and wine, just as the gospel reminds us (Mk 14:12-16 & 22-26). The real presence of Jesus in the consecrated bread and wine is for Christians food for the soul, food by which, upon taking communion, each Christian is so intimately united to Jesus Christ that at that precise moment we are not ourselves, it is He who is in us (Gal 2:20). Accessing the Body and Blood of Christ is the grace by which each Christian dies to the “old man” and is born to the “new man”, as Saint Paul tells us in the Ephesians (Eph 4:22-24).

Once again let us contemplate the mystery of Jesus the Eucharist, and fill our hearts with gratitude. Jesus has desired to be with us and be our food. Thanks to his presence that accompanies us on this pilgrimage we can reach where God is, where He will be all in all (1 Cor 15: 28).

Fr. Carlos Flores, OSA