SUNDAY 14TH JUNE 2020
SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD
OF JESUS CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI)
Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14-16, Psalm
147:12-15,19-20, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, John 6:51-58
One of the most important things
that humans cannot do without in this world is food. Our work every day and
night is to be able to put food on our tables. During this Covid-19 pandemic,
many who have suffered the most are those who even before the Corona era were
already struggling to eat.
Last Sunday, we celebrated the
solemnity of the Blessed Trinity. Among the persons of the Trinity, to Jesus is attributed the
work of redemption, and he is with us in our weaknesses and needs. While he was
here on earth, he also felt hungry and thirsty. He asked the samaritan woman
for water to drink, he was thirsty on the cross, he ate and drank with his
disciples. When the people were listening to his preaching, he knew that they
were hungry, and he multiplied the few loaves of bread and fish to feed them.
The first reading of today
reminds us how God led the people of Israel through the wilderness and fed them
with manna when they were hungry. Human beings therefore need food to survive,
and they work to achieve it.
The type of food we have
described above is the food that comes and goes, food we eat just to have
strength to work, it perishes and we pass them away.
The food that we celebrate today
is not that which is perishable. Jesus tells us in John 6:27, not to work for
food that perishes, but food that lasts forever. That food is the body and
blood of Jesus Christ. Before his passion and death, Jesus gave his own body
and blood as a spiritual food, and a sign of his saving presence among us. Just
as we need ordinary food to have physical strength to work, we also need
spiritual food to be able to live a good life.
Many people have given
testimonies about the power of the Holy Eucharist, and many miracles have been
worked. As a priest, I can never over emphasize the power of the Holy Eucharist
which I celebrate every day.
St Paul tells us in the second
reading of today, that the Holy Eucharist which we receive every day gives us
communion with Christ our saviour, and brings all of us who receive it into the
family of God.
Just as the Jews in the gospel
reading could not understand or believe that Jesus is truly and fully present
in the Eucharist, many people who are not Catholics, and even some Catholics
whose faith are not firm, also doubt the real presence of Jesus in mere food
and drink. As Jesus tells us in the gospel reading, his body is real food and
his blood is real drink. When a validly ordained priest like myself prays over
the ordinary food, it becomes the body and blood of Christ, and Jesus makes
himself manifest among us.
We are therefore encouraged today
to take the reception of the Holy Eucharist more serious in our lives. Try to
always be in a state of grace so as to be able to receive Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament, so that you will receive more grace to live a good life. Spend more
time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament where he is fully present, and tell
him what you want him to do for you. He feeds us both physically and spiritually.
May the body and blood of
our Lord Jesus Christ keep us safe for
eternal life. Amen.
God help us
Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP
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