Things to Ponder
I use this page to share messages of an inspirational nature, or simply something to ponder. It is my hope that you will always be inspired.
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HOMILY REFLECTIONS -1ST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 10:16-17,
JOHN 6:51-58 - CORPUS CHRISTI FEAST
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Introduction: A Longing for the Eucharist:During the painful years of the pandemic, you and I (perhaps reluctantly) honored our state’s stay-at-home orders to protect ourselves and others health-wise. Many of us longed to see the faces of our friends, children, grandchildren – not only on Zoom, but in the flesh. How we longed to see and touch those faces! We wanted to say to each of them what the Psalmist says to the Lord: “Show us your beautiful face.” (Psalm 27)This will not be our first experience of longing, and probably not our last. And, of course, we know that others long as passionately as we do – for the well-being of their families, for a lost spouse or child, for health, a job, a place to live, recognition of their dignity, or equality, justice and peace for all.Can you identify a time you longed for something?Longing. Longing. How we longed especially for the Eucharist during the pandemic! Not being able to receive the sacred Body and Blood of Christ those months and years was truly painful - for the Eucharist is the center of our Catholic spirituality. As the Second Vatican Council wrote so beautifully: “The Eucharist is both the summit and source of our Christian lives.” The Eucharist is a person! Christ Himself in all His majesty and glory. He is food for our journey. His flesh gives our flesh sacredness and meaning. As Jesus boldly proclaims in today’s Gospel: “I am the bread of life. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” How do I envision the Eucharist? Is the Eucharist both the “source and summit” of my life of faith?When we respond with “Amen” in receiving Christ in the Eucharist, we are in effect saying: “Yes, Lord. Come into my life broken as it is. Heal me. Love me. Be with me.” Truly, Communion is a holy embrace – Christ wrapping His arms tightly around us and saying: “I love you as you are!” (How comforting!)But not only that. For you and I receive not only as individuals but also as a community of faith. We – together as St. Andrew’s Parish – become and are the Body of Christ in Silver Spring/Aspen Hill. When the priest or deacon dismisses us at the conclusion of Mass with the words, “Go forth; proclaim the Good News,” we take Christ with us back to our homes, neighborhoods, work places, schools. Although the sacred Body of Christ is reverently placed in the tabernacle for the sick and for personal devotion, we leave the church with Christ within us. We become the living tabernacles! And He travels with us in the following week to guide our every step. How good can that be! We do not travel alone. We are “walking Christs.”How can you be the Body of Christ outside the church during the up- coming week or month?Where can you bring Christ?I would invite you to take time to read and ponder the words from both readings for this feast day: 1st Letter of Paul to Corinthians 10:16-17 and John 6:51-58What word or words caught your attention?What in these passages comforted/challenged you?What do you say to Christ when you receive Him in the Eucharist? What feelings do you have?Further Reflections on Solemnity of Corpus Christi:“The Mass is identified in different ways: the body of Christ, broken; the Blood of Christ, shed; the Bread of Heaven; the cup of salvation; food for the journey; the mystery of faith; the supper of the Lamb. But in every tradition and celebration I know, the priest - at some point - says: Remember. Remember how God became one of us? Remember how God ate with us and drank with us, laughed with us and cried with us? Remember how God suffered for us, and died for us, and gave his life for the life of the world? Remember? Remember?” —Fr. Henri Nouwen The body of Christ. Let that sink in. Consider what you will hold in your hand. Feel the weight of it. This is the Body of Christ. It carries the weight of the world. This is not just a slice of bread, a host. This is our hope. This is our salvation. This is food for our journey. This is truly the Body of Christ. Awesome!“To be a eucharistic people is to acknowledge Christ flowing through our own blood, binding us as one body. It is to walk the path that Jesus walked, caring for the least among us, committing ourselves to the task of unity, justice, and truth. This road may not be easy, but it is simple in light of the gift.”—Mahri Leonard-FleckmanAs you mediate on the Eucharist this week, how do you experience it as both gift and obligation?Ponder: Jesus’ words in the Gospel were meant to shock the gathered people. Why?
Deacon David
Deacon David Suley
St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church
Silver Spring, Maryland
Published with Permission
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Inspirational Morning Prayer
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ORDER:
PIERRE'S CHOICE
SEVEN LETTERS TO HEAVEN
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