This is the weekend that we celebrate the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in its richness. We often talk about it, but have you ever really thought about what it means? It is the basis of our Catholic Faith. Each time we celebrate Mass, we receive Communion, and celebrate the Lord’s Supper with the rest of our faith community. Through Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist, we are reminded of our connection to God and His love for us. The three readings for this year’s reflection on the mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ focus on the image of the Blood of the covenant. Through ritual action, the blood-bond that is described in the book of Exodus seals the commitment between the Holy One and Israel. Not only are God and the people bound together irrevocably, but the people themselves are united to one another. In the same way Jesus’ blood, shed for all, reaffirms God’s unbreakable bond with us. What Jesus says and does at the Last Supper is the culmination of an entire lifelong pouring-out of Himself in love.

For centuries, our image of the Eucharist focused on the single element of bread. It has not been that long since the name of this feast was changed from “Corpus Christi” (Body of Christ) to the Body and Blood of Christ. It is interesting to notice that Jesus speaks different words about the bread and the wine. In St. Mark’s Gospel, the bread word does not include “given for you,” but it is assumed so, since Jesus gives the bread to His disciples. In the words over the cup, Jesus says his blood “will be shed for many.” This is the wording that will be spoken in the new translation of the Mass. This reflects a Hebrew idiom, where the contrast is between “one” and “the many.” “Many” does not mean that some are left out; instead it signifies the totality, hence, “the many,” or “the multitude.”

There also is an interesting distinction in the words spoken about the bread and wine. The bread is given to the disciples. "This is my body, given for you." The sharing of Christ’s body gathers the community together around the altar. This is the community of Christ’s small band of friends, who have shared His life and, now His death. But the cup of wine is blessed for "you and for all," as we say in the Eucharistic prayer. This is the cup that Jesus will not drink again until the Kingdom. It looks forward to when the whole of humanity will be gathered into communion in Christ.

The Church teaches that Christ is present in various ways every time we celebrate the Mass. Christ is present in the Word when it is proclaimed, in the assembly gathered, in the priest who is presiding, and most importantly, in the consecrated bread and wine. Christ, His soul and divinity, is truly and completely present in the Eucharist. Through the power of Christ’s words from the Last Supper and the workings of the Holy Spirit, the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. They may look and taste like bread and wine, but, in substance, they have been changed into Christ’s Body and Blood. The Church calls this transubstantiation. The Church also teaches that Christ’s Body cannot be divided and is therefore fully present in both the bread and the wine (Catechism, nos. 1373-1377).

Through our unity and community, we come together to celebrate this connection with God himself and are able to share the love given to us through Christ’s death on the cross. Next time you are at Mass, focus on the gift that is offered to us freely and abundantly.

This week, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate his 60th anniversary as a priest on June 29th. Our bishop and I invite you to take time to pray for his intentions that day, and I have enclosed a prayer for you to mark that occasion, followed by two prayers for the canonizations of two special men. You can clip all of these prayers to save in your wallet and to use frequently.

Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI on his 60th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination on June 29th
Lord Jesus, we come into Your Eucharistic presence to thank You for the life and Priestly vocation of Pope Benedict XVI. Bless him and his Ministry as Your Vicar and the Successor of St. Peter the Apostle. Sanctify all Your priests and configure them to Your Sacred and Priestly Heart. Give to your Church many new priests who will imitate Your Divine Love and shepherd Your people with care. For You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Canonization of Fr. Michael McGivney (Founder of the Knights of Columbus)
God, our Father, protector of the poor and defender of the widow and orphan, You called Your priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, to be an apostle of Christian family life and to lead the young to the generous service of their neighbor. Through the example of his life and virtue, may we follow Your Son, Jesus Christ, more closely, fulfilling his commandment of charity and building up His Body, which is the Church. Let the inspiration of your servant prompt us to greater confidence in Your love, so that we may continue his work of caring for the needy and the outcast. We humbly ask that You glorify Your venerable servant, Father Michael J. McGivney, on earth according to the design of Your Holy Will. Through his intercession, grant the favor now present (here make your request), through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having graced the Church with Blessed John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of Your Fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life, and is the way of achieving eternal
communion with You. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your Will, the graces we implore (here make your request), hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen.

Very Rev. Canon Tom