Solemnity of the Most Holy 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 | 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.
From the Meditation on the Most Blessed Sacrament | Saint 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 came to show us how to forgive and how to be forgiven. Help us when we stray from your ways. Gather us back to you and open our minds and hearts to changing our lives. Help us to remain strong in the face of temptation and discouragement, and to seek first and always your Kingdom. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.