The Body of Christ

06-03-2018Weekly ReflectionRev. John C. Granato

My Dear Friends,

Today is the Feast of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, commonly known in its Latin words, Corpus Christi. We make up the Body of Christ, as members of the Catholic Church, for we are the Body and He, Jesus Christ, is our Head. As the Body of Christ, we become the eyes, ears, mouths, hands and feet of Jesus Himself on this earth. We all have a role to play in the Church, as parents, as priests and deacons, as parishioners, and, indeed, as those seeking God with a sincere heart. For the Body of Christ is open to all.

But we also come to worship the Lord, present in the Eucharist, on this feast of the Body and Blood of our Lord. Not only do we worship our Lord at Mass, where we come to receive Him physically in the Blessed Sacrament, but we also worship Him present in the tabernacle and present in our monstrance during Eucharistic Adoration. We also come to worship Him as we process through the streets this afternoon. Pope St. John Paul II, our parish's new patron saint, wrote, "Outside the Eucharistic celebration, the Church is careful to venerate the Blessed Sacrament, which must be 'reserved as the spiritual center of the religious and parish community.'" Contemplation prolongs Communion and enables one to meet Christ, true God and true man, in a lasting way, to let oneself be seen by Him and to experience His presence." He continues, "I urge priests, religious and lay people to continue and redouble their efforts to teach the younger generations the meaning and value of Eucharistic adoration and devotion. How will young people be able to know the Lord if they are not introduced to the mystery of His presence?" Pope St. John Paul also writes in his document, Dominicae Cenae, "The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet Him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease."

The blessings that come to a parish that has Eucharistic Adoration are many. We have daily opportunities to adore our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Please make your way to the church during these hours and receive the blessings and graces that our Lord desires to give you.