Lectio Divina

untitled-jules-breton-1857-22fbd0c9 — *La bénédiction des blés en Artois* (The Blessing of the Wheat in Artois), Painted by Jules Breton (1827–1906), Painted in 1857, Oil on canvas, © Musée des Beaux Arts d’Arras, France

I would feed my people with the finest wheat, satisfy them with honey from the rock.”

cf. Psalm 81:17

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

by Reason2bCatholic

On this Feast of Corpus Christi Sunday (The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ), St. John Paul II reminds us that, in commemorating the solemnity, the Church “does not only celebrate the Eucharist but solemnly bears it in procession, publicly proclaiming that the sacrifice of Christ is for the salvation of the whole world.”

For Catholics around the world, this day is set aside on the calendar to remind us of the transformative, sacramental power the Eucharist has in and for our lives. It is a great mystery of faith, for sure. Yet, by the sacramental power of our baptism, and most especially in our reception of Jesus in our First Communion, we have been made participants in this great banquet and sacrifice of the Mass: Jesus, body, blood, soul and divinity.

For a brief video reflection, and for the Anima Christi Prayer by St. Ignatius of Loyola, which both speak to this Mystery of Faith, please see below.

Peace be with you!

In Catholicism, Lectio Divina (from the Latin for Holy Reading) is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word.  For the practitioner, it follows a common rhythm of quiet reading (often aloud to oneself), of thoughtful meditation and contemplation on what one has read, and then, if so moved, of a prayerful dialogue with God in response to what one has encountered in scripture.  This reflective, meditative active listening, if you will, allows the Holy Spirit to deepen one's awareness of God's presence and invites His initiative to speak with us.

Gospel

LISTEN: My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the Jewish crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

The Gospel of the Lord

Reflection

CONSIDER: On this Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ we affirm Emmanuel – God who is with us – who the Psalmist says, feeds us with the finest wheat; who provides for our spiritual needs throughout our life’s journey; the One who has come to dwell among us, in and through the Eucharist, feeding our souls for eternal life.

In this video reflection Bishop Barron comments on the mystery of the Eucharist, encouraging Catholics to truly understand the gift in this great Mystery of Faith. He is Jesus, who is offered for you every hour, of every day, in every Mass celebrated around the globe.

A reflection on the Eucharist on this Feast of Corpus Christi as published, Super Substantial Bread by Bishop Robert Barron; Word on Fire, June 14, 2020.

prayer

On this Feast of Corpus Christi let us pray to know God who is with us; the God who is closer to us than we know. In the Eucharist we participate in this great Mystery of Faith, consuming the Word made flesh; and, in doing so, we join St. Paul and all the great saints in the Catholic tradition down through the ages who exclaim, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (cf. Gal 2:20).

Let us also recognize the sacramental power The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist has to transform our lives. Let us open our hearts to Christ and to his sacraments administered by His church throughout the world. For if our hearts are open, we can one day speak with love about the One who is love.

Let us pray.

The Anima Christi Prayer: 

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. 
Body of Christ, save me. 
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me. 
Passion of Christ, strengthen me. 

O good Jesus, hear me. 
Within your wounds, hide me. 
Let me never be separated from you. 
From the malignant enemy, defend me. 
In the hour of my death, call me, 
And bid me come to you, 
That with your saints I may praise you 

Forever and ever. Amen.

— attributed to Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556)