The Body and Blood of Christ / Corpus Christ
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
In a few days, we will again celebrate Corpus Christi, the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. In the old days of the pre-1960 years, many places in the United States and many more in Europe and South America featured the Corpus Christi processions, where the Blessed Sacrament was held high in a procession for all to see. It was in those days that whole towns still were Catholic or at least people were not afraid to openly show their love for Jesus. In those days people still had self-discipline, were courteous and friendly to all. Now, while many try to live a decent life, many others have failed. Is that a world where Jesus would feel welcome?
Yet in this world, Jesus comes to us each and every day in the Churches and many other places in the Blessed Eucharist, a tiny piece of unleavened bread... consecrated by the priest as Jesus commanded them to do. This is my Body... this is my Blood. That is a miracle of unlimited proportions. Because when we consume Him, we can be with Him for all the ages.
In order for us to understand the beauty of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, we need to be open to the Holy Spirit. St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians wrote, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Now those who belong to Christ (Jesus) have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires." (Gal. 5:22-24). It is only in such an atmosphere of personal holiness that we can fully appreciate the gift of the Holy Eucharist.
Dislike, sadness, war, impatience, unkindness, stinginess, faithlessness, rudeness, lack of self-control are all symptoms of people with low self-esteem and total lack of knowledge of the goodness of God. If we overcome all that we will flourish. If we don't, we end up in an abyss that leads to more suffering. If we love Jesus and make Him a part of our spiritual lives, then we will overcome evil and destruction, and temptation will be much easier to overcome also. Take Jesus as your personal savior, receive Him every time you go to Holy Mass, in the Body and Blood of Christ. This was His gift to us, and we are grateful for His love and mercy as we partake of the Sacred bread and wine.
Let us pray for the many people who use drugs or liquor as a daily means to "be happy." Such happiness is only transitory. It won't stay. It stays to the next fix or the next drink and thus it is happiness that is meaningless. For those who partake of the Holy of Holies, the one and only Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, their lives are rich, and meaningful. Monetarily they could be just as poor as the other fellow but in their heart they are wealthy with the joy of Christ, the joy of the Risen Christ. There were long years that money was real tight and yet God never let me down. I always had three meals a day and a bed to sleep on, and a roof over my head. Remember those who go from house to house, from shed to shed, not knowing where to lay their heads every evening.
Corpus Christi - the Body of Christ! I could not fathom my life without Him. Yes, I have experienced His loss when I almost lost my faith when I was a teenager / young adult. But now, after years and years, I've come to appreciate the riches of this magnificent Gift he's given us and I am very much in awe each time I put the Blessed Sacrament on someone's tongue or in the person's hand. Allowing lay people to be Special Ministers of the Eucharist is a great gift of the Church for it allows us to evangelize in a very special way. In the final analysis I pray you may daily ask Him to be with you for all time. We love you, Jesus!
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
June 18, 2003 rev. 2012, 2023
