June 14, 2009 - Sunday Meditation (Corpus Christi)

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June 14, 2009 - Sunday Meditation (Corpus Christi)

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Written by Bobot Apit

Tuesday, 09 June 2009 04:46

T oday we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally called the feast of Corpus Christi. In so celebrating, we acknowledge the wonderful gift of Holy Communion and its implication for our daily nourishment by God’s love in giving his Son, Jesus Christ, to and for us. This feast underscores the grand desire on the part of Jesus to remain with us even after his death to be the life-giving presence that we count on.

Ezekiel 17:22-24
Psalm 33:4-5, 6, 9, 18-19, 20, 22
II Corinthians 5:6-10

Mark 14:12-16,22-26 [Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ] (alternate reading: Mark 4:26-34)

A nd on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to him, "Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?" (13) And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, (14) and wherever he enters, say to the householder, `The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I am to eat the passover with my disciples?' (15) And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us." (16) And the disciples set out and went to the city, and found it as he had told them; and they prepared the passover. (22) And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." (23) And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. (24) And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. (25) Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." (26) And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

* Meditation by Tom Shanahan, S.J.

The very last words of St. Matthew’s gospel are Jesus’ compelling words, “I am with you always to the very end of the age (NIV, Mt. 28: 20).” And these words hearken back to the very beginning of Matthew’s gospel, “and they will call him Immanuel – which means, ‘God is with us’ (NIV Mt. 1: 23).” The implication is that God desires to be present to us permanently in the person of Jesus our redeemer. The words imply that the life-giving presence of Jesus is the very heart of Matthew’s gospel.

We experience that presence each day as we share in Holy Communion, the unique sacramental presence of Christ received as nourishment in the form of bread and wine, our spiritual food. That presence is enhanced in the daily lives of those whose baptism (and communion-nourishment) impels them to live the Christ-life within them by going out in service to the needs of others, especially the poor. Thus Christ continues to live vibrantly in the Risen Body (us), His People present and active in our world.

The past three Sundays have had us contemplating the presence of the Holy Spirit in the feast of Pentecost, reflecting on the reality of the Trinity and its role in our Christian lives, and now the Body of Christ as the sign of the Covenant (a new covenant) in the blood of Jesus shed for us.

These are profound mysteries that express fundamental realities about how God relates to us. God cares for us, God loves us, God forgives us, God invites us into life, and God invites us to make a difference in our world (just some of the many ways of expressing it!) Today we are invited to see our lives modeled on Jesus’ giving over of his body and blood FOR US.

* Supplementary Reading
Communication Connection

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen and slow to speak. - James 1:19

R elationships depend on open communication. And effective communication leads to connection.

Unfortunately, our culture has lost its manners in conversation. People talk over each other or often talk at the same time. Society suffers from a communication breakdown-a cultural meltdown in what used to be common dignity in dialogue.

Dialogue is meant to be an exchange of ideas; one person speaking while others listen, back and forth. Talk shows that began as insightful dialogues have disintegrated into free-for-alls. This rudeness marks a cultural decline that threatens courteous communication as we lose the art of polite listening.

Communication is a God-given tool to be used to establish and enjoy relationships. We must learn sensible ways to communicate that don't overstress us and strengthen our relationships.

Cultivate your conversation manners and you'll reap the rewards of meaningful human connection.

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Be more intentional in your conversations today. Maintain a balance between talking and listening.

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Note: This excerpt was taken from the "Power for Life Daily Devotional"

GOD BLESS US ALL!

PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.

http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

http://www.mabuhayradio.com/sections/the-daily-bread.html

http://www.tlig.org/en/messages/