Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
Intention: For a deeper awareness of and concern for the plight of homeless and displaced persons throughout the world, that all might work to eradicate their suffering and its causes.
Today’s Gospel | John 6:51-58
Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
From the Meditation for the Feast of the Most Blessed Sacrament | St. John Baptist de La Salle
It is no doubt a great honor for us that God desires so much to dwell with us continually and to make himself in some way tangible to us in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, in order to procure for us a great number of graces, both interior and exterior. The angels offer their adoration to him there; they acknowledge their nothingness before this sacred treasure, the consolation of everyone on earth.
Today the whole Church celebrates; all the faithful join in mind and in heart to show themselves grateful for such a great benefit.
Strive to share these sentiments and to offer Jesus Christ in this mystery your very humble thanks for the goodness he has shown by communicating himself to you in this sacrament and by being always ready to impart to you an abundance of his graces.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your Son showed us how to receive him into our lives. Help us when forget to do this, that we will return to your table seeking what will fill and nourish us to live as your children. Inspire us to become like Jesus, unafraid to give of ourselves for the good of others. Teach us to seek first and always your Kingdom, doing only what is right and remaining strong and faithful to your will. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.