Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
(Exodus 24:3-8; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:22-26)
The great Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of
Christ originated in the Middle Ages to underline the real presence of Jesus
Christ in the Eucharist. It is famous
for the procession with the Blessed Sacrament outside church. The procession not only exposes the Eucharist
to everyone but also offers them a free blessing.
The readings we have just heard teach us part of the meaning
of the Eucharist. They show how it has introduced
a new era in the history of salvation.
The first reading recounts the making of the Sinai covenant between God
and the Israelite people. It features
Moses sprinkling the people with the blood of animals sacrificed to God. Then Moses spills the same blood on the
altar to ratify the alliance with God. Under
the terms of the alliance the people of Israel accept the Law to make them holy. In turn, God promises to protect Israel and
keep her in his affection.
The gospel highlights Jesus at dinner with his disciples creating
the new alliance. Like Moses Jesus offers
a sacrifice to God and sheds blood. In
this case, however, he sacrifices himself, not animals. Likewise, it is his own blood that is drained. Jesus identifies the bread he breaks with his
body which will be crucified the following day. And he says crucially that the
wine they drink is his blood that forms a new alliance between God and humans.
In the second reading the author of the Letter to the
Hebrews emphasizes how Jesus' new covenant surpasses the old covenant. First, Jesus received his high priesthood
directly from God like Melchizedek, and not by inheritance through the
law. Second, as high priest, Jesus offered
his sacrifice in heaven, the true residence of God. (Although heaven sounds remote, really it is
near because it exists wherever God is.)
Continuing with our comparison, Jesus brought his own blood
to the altar of sacrifice which surely surpasses the blood of animals. Finally, the benefits of Jesus' sacrifice
transcend those of Temple sacrifices.
While animal sacrifices could bring about forgiveness of sin, Jesus'
sacrifice provides for the reformation of humans. Now, reconstituted with the Holy Spirit, we
are not only forgiven but also strengthened to resist sin and to do works
worthy of eternal life.
The Letter to the Hebrews deserves continuous reading. It is the unknown author's attempt to
convince a group of Jewish converts not to abandon their faith in Christ. These wavering converts to may be compared to
Catholics in many places today who no longer attend mass. Although they were baptized and confirmed,
when asked their religion, they will often say “none.” Like pagans, they desire pleasures as many
pleasures as possible. They cannot
appreciate the supreme value of the Eucharist that unites us in love and keeps
us intimate with the Lord.
In two weeks, Americans will celebrate a new holiday known
as “Juneteenth Day.” Its history can help us understand the phenomenon that is happening
in our time with the Eucharist. It is
called “Juneteenth” day because it was only on June 19, 1865, that the slaves
in Texas realized that they had been freed on January 1, 1863. Two and a half
years passed without their knowing of their liberation! Now many Catholics freed from sin by the
Body and Blood of Christ do not realize their liberation either. They are unaware that the path to true
happiness is to live close to the Lord Jesus.
Let us hope that we never forget our freedom from sin
through the sacrifice of Jesus. Rather,
may we live it by awakening others to its benefits. Let us begin now with the end of the mass
and continue every day of the week, every week of the year, every year of our
lives.
