Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Today's Mass Readings

Some time back a survey pointed out that only 30% of the church going Catholics actually believed that the bread and the wine at the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. So, the bread and wine; is it the really the body and blood of Christ? Of course it is !
St. Paul says in today’s second reading, “ The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 cor 10:16). Here, then, is the question again. Is the bread and wine really the body and the blood of Christ? My answer: "Of course it is !" Who said so? Jesus said so.

At the last supper, Jesus took the bread and said, “This is my body; eat it!” And he took the cup and said, “ This is my blood, take it drink it!” Sometimes we can be like the Jews who as the gospel quarrelled among themselves saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (Jn 6: 52). Jesus simply replies, “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. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life. For my flesh is real food, and my blood real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him" (Jn 6: 53-54). As far as I am concerned I need no further explanation. His word will suffice.

With the priest at the altar today during the Eucharist, let us too pray, "May the body and blood of Christ bring us to everlasting life. Amen."

- Fr. Satish Joseph