Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (B)

Ex 24:3-8; Heb 9:11-15; Mk 14:12-16; 22-26

One day an Arabian prince, Abd-ed-Kader, while passing through the streets of Marseilles with a French official, met a priest who was carrying holy Viaticum to a dying man. The French official stopped, uncovered his head and knelt. His friend asked him the reason for this gesture.

“I adore my God, whom the priest is carrying to a sick person,” replied the good official.

“How is it possible,” the prince asked, “for you to believe that God who is so great, makes himself so little and lets himself go even to the homes of the poor. We Mohammedans have a much higher idea of God.”

The official answered, “It is because you have only an idea of the greatness of God but you do not know his love.”

(The story is from an unknown author)

The solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ reminds us of who it is we are receiving in the eucharist and what we are doing when we receive holy communion.

Who are we receiving in the eucharist?

In the holy mass we receive no less than Jesus Christ himself. The gospel today narrates the Last Supper event when Jesus Christ instituted the eucharist. We are quite familiar with the story. While they were eating, he took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and said to his disciples: “Take it, this is my body.” Then, he took the cup, gave thanks, and handed the chalice to his disciples: “This is the cup of my covenant, which will be shed for many.” The words and actions of Jesus clearly suggest that the eucharist he established is a sacrificial offering and a new covenant. The Lord freely gave his whole life for the redemption of humankind, and people are also free to receive or reject his offer of salvation.

A covenant is a solemn promise made by two parties to remain faithful to their respective commitments. For instance, in the covenant made by God and the people of Israel, the Lord declared that He will forever nourish and protect Israel. “You will be my people; I will be your God.” On their part, the people of Israel promised to observe all of God's commandments and decrees. In the Scriptures, covenants were always sealed with a sign: The rainbow for God's covenant with Noah, circumcision for God's covenant with Abraham, and as the first reading narrates, the sprinkling of blood from sacrificed animals for God's covenant with Moses.

The second reading from the Book of Hebrews explains that in the new covenant, what is being shed is no longer the blood of sacrificed animals but that of Christ himself. This blood is not meant to be sprinkled but to be drunk for the salvation of all. It is Jesus who makes the offering and what he offers is his whole life. Hebrews stresses the significance of this salvific act: “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.” In Christ, therefore, there is no more value in offering and shedding the blood of animals. In God's eyes, there is no other offering that can surpass the value of the holy eucharist.

“Do this in memory of me.” Because of the Lord's command, the eucharist has become the eternal remembrance of the sacrifice of life he offered. This is no ordinary remembering because every time the eucharist is celebrated it gives life and salvation to those who celebrate it and to those whose intention the mass is offered.

What are we doing when we receive holy communion?

During communion, we enter freely into a covenant with God. When we receive the body and blood of Christ, it is like we are saying: “Yes, Lord, I want to be become one with you.” On his part, Jesus promises us: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will have eternal life.”

The word “communion” suggests oneness and solidarity. In receiving communion, we are united with Christ and with the whole Christian community. Clearly, this communion is not only about eating and drinking but of life and mission. If we are one with Christ in his life and mission in the world, we can also share the eternal life and joy he promised us.

Dominic Tang, the courageous Chinese archbishop was imprisoned for twenty-one years for nothing more than his loyalty to Christ and his one, true Church. After five years of solitary confinement in a windowless damp cell, his Jailers came to tell him he could leave it for a few hours, to do whatever he wanted. Five years of solitary confinement and he had a couple of hours to do what he wanted! What would it be? A hot shower? A change of cloths? Certainly a long walk outside? A chance to call or write to family?

What will it be? Asked the jailer.

“I would like to say Mass,” replied Archbishop Tang.

(The story is told by Msgr. Timothy M. Dolan in Priests of the Third Millennium)