The Corpus Christi Sunday 22nd June 2025

The institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Mass is clearly expressed in all four Gospels, as well as St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. We most commonly attribute the institution of the Holy Eucharist to the accounts of the Last Supper in the Synoptic Gospels. But St. John also gives us a more expanded teaching on the Eucharist. It comes in his Gospel right after Jesus’ miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish, of which we heard Luke’s account today. But in John’s Gospel where Jesus is speaking to the large crowd of his disciples, he tells them “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

He continues on and tells them they must eat his body and drink his blood. Many of his followers questioned him and said, “How can this be?” A very reasonable question, and a question that we still ask today; but the answer is beyond reason. A question that is answered only by faith. So, Jesus repeats himself, even more emphatically; “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.” Continuing on in John’s Gospel, many of his followers begin to walk away thinking Jesus was mad. But what was even more important is what Jesus didn’t do. He didn’t call them back and try to tone down his words and tell them not to take him literally. He meant exactly what he said, and he knew that they understood him perfectly.

     Jesus has given us the Eucharist, which is his real presence. The Eucharist is truly his body and blood. Yet it remains a mystery for us, and we are still asking “How can this be?” It all comes down to faith; ——faith in Jesus, who tells us; “This is my body. This is my blood.

     At the Last Supper, Jesus knew what the next day held for him. So, he left the Apostles, and us, with the great gift of the Eucharist to let us know—— to remind us, that he will always be with us, truly in Body and Blood. When Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, he gave it to his disciples saying; “Take this and eat it. This is my body which will be given up for you.” He didn’t say “This bread is like my body.” Or “This bread represents my body.” He said, “This is my body” And likewise with the Cup. He said, “This is my blood.” That is at the core of our faith as Catholics. We must believe that. If we don’t believe that, we have a hollow faith. Jesus has been present at the banquet table for all these centuries, making himself available to all who sincerely believe and love him. His invitation is as strong today as it was 2000 years ago; “Take this and eat it”.Copied from deaconcurt