Feast of the Precious Body and Blood of Christ Ex 24:3-8; Heb 9:11-15; Mk 14:12-16, 22-26
One of the most difficult aspects of the past 15 months, for many of us, has been the inability to gather as one to celebrate liturgy and receive Eucharist. When Masses were totally livestreamed, only the few who were helping with the livestream were able to attend and receive the Eucharist. When churches started to open with limited attendance, many were still unable to attend Mass in person and receive the Body and Blood of Jesus.
Parishioners participating in livestreamed Masses were encouraged to make a Spiritual Act of Communion. While this is a wonderful prayer and it can enhance watching and participating in Mass online, many have said it doesn’t come close to physically receiving the Body of Christ. The Eucharist, the Source and Summit of our faith (CCC 1324), unites us as one and sends us forth into the world.
This feast speaks to us of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the belief that when Jesus said, “This is my body” and “This is my blood,” the bread and wine truly became Jesus’ Body and Blood. We also believe that the power to do this was conferred to the apostles: “Do this in remembrance of me,” and from them to those who are ordained as priests.
It is encouraging to hear people say they miss coming to Mass to receive Eucharist, that they long for and are ecstatic about receiving Communion. It is a blessing for me to see the people’s reactions when they receive Eucharist in church or when it is brought to them.
One person to whom I bring Communion would close his eyes after receiving; his face would give off a glow from the joy he felt and he would say, “That’s beautiful.” Others, with tears in their eyes, would try to tell me what it meant to them.
Last week I was told that a parishioner had tears in her eyes because it was the first time she had been back to Mass and received Communion in a long time. Another person I see regularly tells me, “I always love to see you come because you bring me Jesus.” Recently a young man who received his first Communion, when asked how he felt receiving Eucharist, said “My heart just feels so full.” I am sure you all have similar experiences.
Certainly, the true presence of Jesus is the preeminent understanding of this feast. However, when parishioners tell me they missed the people as well as the Eucharist, they are speaking of another understanding of the Body of Christ. In our theology, we refer to the people of God, the Church, as the Body of Christ. We are the Body of Christ (CCC 805).
That is another reason we need to return to Mass. We need to gather together as the Body of Christ. When folks are missing from Mass, we are not complete. As things continue to open up and we can have more and more people attending Mass, it is important for all of us to gather as community, to gather as Church, to gather as the Body of Christ. At Mass, we are nourished by the Eucharist and we, members of the Body of Christ, are nourished by each other’s presence.
Deacon Christopher Colville serves at Church of the Redeemer, Mechanicsville.