Becoming the Body and Blood of Christ

Weekly Missionary Reflection
Sunday, 02 June 2024
Solemnity of Corpus Christi
Exo. 24:3-8; Ps. 116:12-13,15,16bc,17-18; Heb. 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16,22-26.

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Our late provincial, an Italian priest, once told us in the postulancy, that when we committed acts contrary to charity after receiving the holy communion, we were disrespectful to the Body of Christ. This message made me reflect again on the true meaning of the Body and Blood of Christ that I received during the celebration of the Eucharist.

In every Eucharist, the priest presents the bread and wine transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ through consecration. The first reading of Exodus book tells us how the transformation of wine into the Bood of Christ is called the blood of the covenant. The event in the Old Testament is also what Jesus refers to again in today’s Gospel of Mark.

The blood of the covenant in the story of Moses marked the covenant between God and the Israelites. God promised to save His people and they promised to obey God’s commandment. Jesus renews the blood of the covenant. Jesus surrendered Himself as the offering for man’s salvation. His body and blood are He Himself, broken into pieces and offered on the cross. Jesus has taken with Him all kinds of men’s sufferings by surrendering Himself. Therefore, every time we receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, we should also reflect on our sufferings and the people of our surroundings. We should ponder that after receiving the Body of Christ, we strive to stand against any forms of oppression, injustice, and hatred that cause misery to others.

Dear brothers and sisters, every time we receive the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, we are united by Jesus Christ Himself and we receive the same mission as Him. We are sent to be the missionaries of God’s love and expected to share the love of Christ. As told by my late provincial priest, may we always consciously be grateful to the Body of Christ we receive by acting and speaking the words reflecting Christ’s love and sacrifice. We hope through the intercession of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to be the Body and Blood of Christ to our family and neighbors. God bless. 

(Br. Kornelius Glossanto, SX – Xaverian Missionary)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church this month:

Universal Church Intent: For migrants fleeing their homes 
We pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys full of danger and violence, find welcome and new opportunities in the countries that receive them.

Indonesian Church Intent: For the young people
We pray that the churches will be more open and able to embrace the young people in the process of identity formation so that they can experience Christ as their Friend and Saviour.

Amen.