(Corpus Christi)
Readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Exodus 24:3-8
When Moses came to the people
and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD,
they all answered with one voice,
"We will do everything that the LORD has told us."
Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and,
rising early the next day,
he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar
and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then, having sent certain young men of the Israelites
to offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls
as peace offerings to the LORD,
Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls;
the other half he splashed on the altar.
Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people,
who answered, "All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do."
Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying,
"This is the blood of the covenant
that the LORD has made with you
in accordance with all these words of his."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ex 24:3-8
Readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Readings and Commentary:[3]
Reading 1: Exodus 24:3-8
When Moses came to the people
and related all the words and ordinances of the LORD,
they all answered with one voice,
"We will do everything that the LORD has told us."
Moses then wrote down all the words of the LORD and,
rising early the next day,
he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar
and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Then, having sent certain young men of the Israelites
to offer holocausts and sacrifice young bulls
as peace offerings to the LORD,
Moses took half of the blood and put it in large bowls;
the other half he splashed on the altar.
Taking the book of the covenant, he read it aloud to the people,
who answered, "All that the LORD has said, we will heed and do."
Then he took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying,
"This is the blood of the covenant
that the LORD has made with you
in accordance with all these words of his."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ex 24:3-8
Following the presentation of the precepts of the Law, Moses gets consensus from all of the people whom God has brought out of bondage, the Children of Israel (Jacob) that they will follow the law handed down to them. Moses erects pillars, one for each tribe and makes a sacrifice to seal the covenant and sprinkles the people with the blood of the covenant sacrifice.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
R. (13) I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
This selection from Psalm 116 recalls the Passover ritual referring to the “cup of salvation”. The psalm rejoices in God’s saving works in releasing the people from their bondage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: Hebrews 9:11-15
Brothers and sisters:
When Christ came as high priest
of the good things that have come to be,
passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle
not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation,
he entered once for all into the sanctuary,
not with the blood of goats and calves
but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls
and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes
can sanctify those who are defiled
so that their flesh is cleansed,
how much more will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from dead works
to worship the living God.
For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant:
since a death has taken place for deliverance
from transgressions under the first covenant,
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Heb 9:11-15
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews contrasts the tradition of Jewish animal sacrifice or sin offering with what Jesus has done for us. He describes, in detail, how Christ becomes the sacrifice that seals the new covenant. Using this specific Mosaic Law and imagery, he explains how the Lord came as the ultimate offering for our salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
Jesus' disciples said to him,
"Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
"Go into the city and a man will meet you,
carrying a jar of water.
Follow him.
Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'
Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
Make the preparations for us there."
The disciples then went off, entered the city,
and found it just as he had told them;
and they prepared the Passover.
While they were eating,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, gave it to them, and said,
"Take it; this is my body."
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,
and they all drank from it.
He said to them,
"This is my blood of the covenant,
which will be shed for many.
Amen, I say to you,
I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine
until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Then, after singing a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 14:12-16, 22-26
This selection is part of the Passion narrative from St. Mark’s Gospel. The disciples prepare to celebrate the Passover and follow Jesus’ instructions It is likely that the “man carrying a water jar” was a prearranged signal for only women carried water jars, however, the Greek version says it is a person, not necessarily a man.
This selection skips over a section of narrative and describes the institution of the Eucharistic meal. “The actions and words of Jesus express within the framework of the Passover meal and the transition to a new covenant the sacrifice of himself through the offering of his body and blood in anticipation of his passion and death. His blood of the covenant both alludes to the ancient rite of Exodus 24:4-8 and indicates the new community that the sacrifice of Jesus will bring into being (Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25).”[4] The Passover meal concludes with a hymn of praise (Psalm 114-118).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
The reflection today will borrow from Verna Holyhead SGS (http://www.goodsams.org.au/print/oil_and_wine/14_Jun_2009.doc) In her thoughts about the great feast we celebrate she recalls an incident in Brazil which is instructive as we consider the greatest gift ever given:
“Our celebration of today’s solemnity has changed over recent decades. Some people may still nostalgically remember the Corpus Christi processions, the flower strewers, Benediction, large crowds. The prophetic archbishop of Recife, Brazil, Dom Helder Camara (1909-1999), commented in the wake of Vatican II that it was becoming clear to us that the Eucharistic Christ cannot accept an excess of glorification while we oppress his other real presence: his life in our sisters and brothers, and especially in the poor. He told the story of a delegation of parishioners that came to him in great distress because a thief had broken into their church, smashed open the tabernacle, stolen the ciborium, and threw the consecrated hosts down into the mud! “Do you hear, Dom Helder! The living Christ thrown down into the mud! We have rescued the hosts and carried them in procession back to the church, but now we must have a great ceremony of atonement.” “Very well, said Dom Camara, “we will organize a eucharistic procession and invite the whole diocese. And it really will be an act of atonement.”
On the day when everyone was assembled, Dom Camara addressed them. “Lord, in the name of my brother the thief, I ask your pardon. He didn’t know what he was doing. We are deeply shocked by what he did, that he threw the eucharistic Christ into the mud. But, my people, how blind we are! All around us, Christ lives in the mud all the time! We must open our eyes to the real presence of Jesus in the poor, the oppressed and the suffering. Our communion with the sacramental Body and Blood of Christ will enable us to do this. If it does not, are we really saying ‘Amen’ to him?” As a later affirmation of this, at the national eucharistic congress held in Brazil in 1975 and at one of its most solemn moments, an unemployed worker, an abandoned wife with her children, and a prostitute spoke the Congress. They were broken people; they were the dregs of society; and they were the body and blood of Christ.”
We are challenged by the Bishop’s address to view the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar not just as food for our souls but as an invitation to recall the Lord’s gift is to all of humanity and his presence is in all those we meet. Today as we celebrate the gift once more let us also remember the obligation we accept by accepting him who left us his body and blood.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture is “The Last Supper” by Daniete Crespi, 1624-25
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[4] See NAB Footnote on Mark 14: 22-24
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
R. (13) I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
R. I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Ps 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18
This selection from Psalm 116 recalls the Passover ritual referring to the “cup of salvation”. The psalm rejoices in God’s saving works in releasing the people from their bondage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reading II: Hebrews 9:11-15
Brothers and sisters:
When Christ came as high priest
of the good things that have come to be,
passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle
not made by hands, that is, not belonging to this creation,
he entered once for all into the sanctuary,
not with the blood of goats and calves
but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls
and the sprinkling of a heifer's ashes
can sanctify those who are defiled
so that their flesh is cleansed,
how much more will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from dead works
to worship the living God.
For this reason he is mediator of a new covenant:
since a death has taken place for deliverance
from transgressions under the first covenant,
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Heb 9:11-15
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews contrasts the tradition of Jewish animal sacrifice or sin offering with what Jesus has done for us. He describes, in detail, how Christ becomes the sacrifice that seals the new covenant. Using this specific Mosaic Law and imagery, he explains how the Lord came as the ultimate offering for our salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gospel: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover lamb,
Jesus' disciples said to him,
"Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?"
He sent two of his disciples and said to them,
"Go into the city and a man will meet you,
carrying a jar of water.
Follow him.
Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,
'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room
where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"'
Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready.
Make the preparations for us there."
The disciples then went off, entered the city,
and found it just as he had told them;
and they prepared the Passover.
While they were eating,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, gave it to them, and said,
"Take it; this is my body."
Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them,
and they all drank from it.
He said to them,
"This is my blood of the covenant,
which will be shed for many.
Amen, I say to you,
I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine
until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Then, after singing a hymn,
they went out to the Mount of Olives.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commentary on Mk 14:12-16, 22-26
This selection is part of the Passion narrative from St. Mark’s Gospel. The disciples prepare to celebrate the Passover and follow Jesus’ instructions It is likely that the “man carrying a water jar” was a prearranged signal for only women carried water jars, however, the Greek version says it is a person, not necessarily a man.
This selection skips over a section of narrative and describes the institution of the Eucharistic meal. “The actions and words of Jesus express within the framework of the Passover meal and the transition to a new covenant the sacrifice of himself through the offering of his body and blood in anticipation of his passion and death. His blood of the covenant both alludes to the ancient rite of Exodus 24:4-8 and indicates the new community that the sacrifice of Jesus will bring into being (Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25).”[4] The Passover meal concludes with a hymn of praise (Psalm 114-118).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reflection:
The reflection today will borrow from Verna Holyhead SGS (http://www.goodsams.org.au/print/oil_and_wine/14_Jun_2009.doc) In her thoughts about the great feast we celebrate she recalls an incident in Brazil which is instructive as we consider the greatest gift ever given:
“Our celebration of today’s solemnity has changed over recent decades. Some people may still nostalgically remember the Corpus Christi processions, the flower strewers, Benediction, large crowds. The prophetic archbishop of Recife, Brazil, Dom Helder Camara (1909-1999), commented in the wake of Vatican II that it was becoming clear to us that the Eucharistic Christ cannot accept an excess of glorification while we oppress his other real presence: his life in our sisters and brothers, and especially in the poor. He told the story of a delegation of parishioners that came to him in great distress because a thief had broken into their church, smashed open the tabernacle, stolen the ciborium, and threw the consecrated hosts down into the mud! “Do you hear, Dom Helder! The living Christ thrown down into the mud! We have rescued the hosts and carried them in procession back to the church, but now we must have a great ceremony of atonement.” “Very well, said Dom Camara, “we will organize a eucharistic procession and invite the whole diocese. And it really will be an act of atonement.”
On the day when everyone was assembled, Dom Camara addressed them. “Lord, in the name of my brother the thief, I ask your pardon. He didn’t know what he was doing. We are deeply shocked by what he did, that he threw the eucharistic Christ into the mud. But, my people, how blind we are! All around us, Christ lives in the mud all the time! We must open our eyes to the real presence of Jesus in the poor, the oppressed and the suffering. Our communion with the sacramental Body and Blood of Christ will enable us to do this. If it does not, are we really saying ‘Amen’ to him?” As a later affirmation of this, at the national eucharistic congress held in Brazil in 1975 and at one of its most solemn moments, an unemployed worker, an abandoned wife with her children, and a prostitute spoke the Congress. They were broken people; they were the dregs of society; and they were the body and blood of Christ.”
We are challenged by the Bishop’s address to view the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar not just as food for our souls but as an invitation to recall the Lord’s gift is to all of humanity and his presence is in all those we meet. Today as we celebrate the gift once more let us also remember the obligation we accept by accepting him who left us his body and blood.
Pax
[1] ALTRE
[2] The picture is “The Last Supper” by Daniete Crespi, 1624-25
[3] Text of Readings is taken from the New American Bible, Copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.
[4] See NAB Footnote on Mark 14: 22-24
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