Reflection for June 19, 2022

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (C)

Genesis 14:18-20 | Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4 | 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 | Luke 9:11b-17

​Today we celebrate the solemnity of the most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. A little story can help us enter into the historical aspects of this feast and to see why it was instituted.

In 1263, German priest Hochwürden Peer von Praga stopped at the Basilica di Santa Cristina in Bolsena, Italy while on a pilgrimage to Rome. He celebrated Holy Mass above the tomb of 3rd century martyr Christina of Bolsena. Although a duly ordained clergyman, he was plagued by doubts on the Real Presence. When he started saying the words of institution, the bread took to the form of human flesh and blood began to seep from it and run over his hands onto the altar and corporal. So powerful was this blood gush that it even marked the marble altar steps and floor. To this day, the Eucharistic flesh remains preserved as does the stained marble floor where the drops of the blood of Christ fell. After thorough investigation, Pope Urban IV instituted the feast of Corpus Christi a year later to recognize and to promote the great gift of the Blessed Sacrament. 

Jesus and Melchizedek walk into a bar. The bartender says to Jesus, “We don’t serve your TYPE here.” Melchizedek walks out. Bartender says, “Very well, give me your ORDER.” Melchizedek walks back in!

Our First reading from the Book of Genesis recounts Abram’s stunning and miraculous victory over the armies of four kings. After successfully rescuing his nephew Lot from captivity, he’s met in the Valley of Shaveh by Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High. Melech is the Hebrew word for "king," and zedek means "righteousness;" The Jews say that Melchizedek was Shem, Noah's son, Melchizedek was Noah's righteous firstborn son Shem. He brought Abram "bread and wine," the future sign of the Eucharist, and pronounced a blessing in the name of "God the Most High, Creator of heaven and earth," giving credit to Yahweh for Abram's victory over his enemies. Melchizedek is a priest and king chosen by God to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving for his faithful ones. The sacrifice is in the form of bread and wine. This act foreshadows Jesus Christ, the Eternal Priest and King of Kings who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving for his faithful ones in the form of bread and wine.

In 2016, I went to a parish fiesta in the Diocese of Cubao. That day, the hermano and hermana set up over twenty dinner tables end to end with no chairs around them. There were no forks, spoons or knives. An assortment of delicious dishes served as the centerpiece for what they call the Boodle feast. We stood across from each other, ate with our hands and talked. They say that this was popularized by the uniformed men City and is primarily done as a form of fellowship and camaraderie between officers and military personnel, no matter what rank. A similar practice is common when we go camping during my days in the minor seminary. We take our packed lunch and put it on a table or the ground over some banana leaves and share it with everyone around. The kingdom of God may not be a matter of eating or drinking, but for us, Filipinos, eating and drinking serves as a wonderful way to break down barriers and build bridges. Hospitality like this is one way we can pursue peace. I think that’s why much of Jesus’ ministry took place over food.

If we listen to the very last part of the passage from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians today, he urges them, “Let each one examine yourself before eating of the bread and drinking from the cup. Otherwise you eat and drink your own condemnation in not recognizing the body and blood of the Lord.” The people of Corinth were partaking the bread and the cup regularly, but their behavior at the table caused the apostle Paul to question whether what they were doing could rightly be called the “Lord’s Supper”. Although their words may have recalled the night of Jesus’ death, their actions were preaching a different story. The wealthy members got there first with their sumptuous dinners and gorged themselves. When the slaves and other poor people arrived, the food was gone. Even worse, a few of the wealthy filled their wine glasses a bit too often, so that they were getting drunk. As a result, they completely missed the significance and purpose of the Lord’s Supper by allowing their social distinctions to dictate their behavior to one another rather allowing Christ’s behavior to be their guide. The Lord’s Supper is a table where all are welcomed. The Lord’s Supper should bring unity and eliminate all social, race, gender, status, and economical distinctions. As we examine ourselves, we need to look around to see whether we are treating one another in the way that Jesus commanded. 

Michael Longley, a celebrated Irish poet, once said, “If prose is a river, poetry is a fountain”. The fewer words poetry uses, the more meaning it contains. Listen to this poem called ‘It Depends on Whose Hands It's In’. It encapsulates the full message of the Gospel in 225 words.

A basketball in my hands is worth about ₱699. A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands is worth about $33 million. It depends whose hands it's in. 

A baseball in my hands is worth about ₱90.A baseball in Babe Ruth’s hands is worth about $19 million. It depends whose hands it's in. 

A tennis racket is useless in my hands. A tennis racket in Roger Federer’s hands is a Championship Winning. It depends whose hands it's in. 

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal. A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea. It depends whose hands it's in.
A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy.

A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon. It depends whose hands it's in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands. It depends whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse. Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world. It depends whose hands it's in. 

As you see now it depends whose hands it's in. So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families, your relationships and our country in God's hands, only in his, because...it depends whose hands it's in.

Our Gospel gives us some insight into what God can do with a little. Like the young boy, God wants us to bring what we have to Him. The quantity does not matter. This boy's lunch appeared to be insufficient in proportion to the number of people and this boy appeared to be insignificant among the multitude of people. Our time, talent and treasure are clearly inadequate to meet the needs of a hungry world. The evangelist Luke commands us to put the little that we have in the hands of Jesus anyway, trusting that He will multiply them. Indeed, tt depends whose hands it's in. <enrique,ofs>