Sunday Gospel Comment
Alberic Jacovone OSB
YEAR A THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST - 29.5.05 Dt 8,2-3.14-16; 1 Cor 10,16-17; Jn 6.51-58 “Eu-Charis-t” & “Corpus Christi” Layers
of meanings:
The Latin words ‘Corpus Christi’ mean Body of Christ & refer to Jesus,
to the Church & to us as we are united with Christ like members of a body to
the head. The Greek word ‘Eu-charis-t’ means ‘good (eu) gift (charis)’&
it gives meaning to words like Charis-matic, Charity (Charis-ty) &
“Grace” it holds many layers of meaning. Eucharist always implies a most
beautiful gift, a gift par excellence. It aims at describing God’s attitude of
immense condescension and generosity towards us as it is expressed in the most
wonderful & freely given Gift or Present or ‘Grace’. And we know that
the most beautiful “Grace of all” is Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our
Lord who has come for us & has poured his life so we may have life in
abundance. This Wonderful Gift, was freely given to us while we were still
God’s enemies: we call it Eucharist & Blessed Sacrament. Over the years,
other meanings & expressions have evolved: Liturgy of the Eucharist &
Sacrament of the Eucharist - Eucharistic prayer & Eucharistic Celebration -
Sunday & daily Eucharist. There is also a Eucharistic: Presence, Holy Hour,
Procession, Congress, Spirituality etc. In
his document on the Year of the Eucharist, the late Pope John Paul II presents
the Mystery of the Eucharist & its Real Presence as a way to contemplate the
face of Christ at Mary’s School who is par excellence a Eucharistic Woman.
With her we should spend quality time to Eucharistic Adoration. He also talks
about a Eucharistic spirituality, a Eucharist at the heart of Christian life
& worship. He says: The Eucharist nourishes & orients our daily lived
existence, which is enriched at the Eucharistic ‘living sacrifice’. Mary
-says the Pope- is the ‘Icon’ of the Eucharistic Church, who in the
sacrament of the Altar lives her encounter with her Emmanuel, the God-with-us
& for-us. Eucharistic
Devotions:
The Pope notes that while devotions are not inserted in Mass, all authentic
prayer is good, because it is linked & referred to the Eucharist. All
devotions lead to the Eucharist & extend its impact in daily life. During
the Eucharistic Year, lets experience the sense of being Church
(‘Ecclesia’). Each Sunday, let’s feel essentially called together
by the Risen Lord. And as a Eucharistic assembly, let’s be nourished at the
Eucharistic Table, through joyful, musical, involving & participatory
celebrations. But at the same time, the Pope wishes us to increase our
Eucharistic adoration outside Mass: at the special times of Easter Vigil - Holy
Thursday after the Mass of the Last Supper - & especially on the Feast of
‘Corpus Christi’. Let’s remember that in the year 1264, this Feast was
extended to the universal Church by Pope Urban IV, to promote the doctrine of
‘Real Presence’ of Jesus in the Eucharist & as a response to a movement
of ardent devotion towards the “Sacrament of Love”. Over the years, this
Feast has held deep Eucharistic Piety, & its Eucharistic Procession has
extended the Celebration into a public witnessing of faith & devotion to the
Bl. Sacrament. The Pope concludes: This year, ‘let us live with special
fervour the Feast of Corpus Christi with the traditional Procession. Let us
proclaim everywhere, the Faith in God who chose to become our companion in the
journey. Let us express our grateful love & let the Eucharist continue to be
a source of unending blessings’: These words sound like an advice coming from
the ‘Last Will’ of our beloved Pope John Paul II. With him let’s realize
that all Eucharistic Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament matures our union
with Christ, increases our existential & devotional appreciation of the
‘nearness of our God’ & purifies our heart. ______________________________________ |
