Corpus Christi processions! Great occasions for us
to proclaim our faith to the world at large. As people see us processing
through the streets they may well wonder what’s going on. Why are we
demonstrating? And what is the priest carrying? Whatever it is, it’s the focus
of our attention. Why is it so important to us Catholics? What answers would
you give, if you were asked these questions?
Ask them of yourselves; searching for answers will
help to deepen your faith. But don't be surprised if you are lost for words and
explanations. We are using our feeble human minds to try to penetrate what the
great Dominican theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas, called the ‘great mystery’ –the
‘magnum mysterium.’ He is said to have composed the liturgy for the feast of
Corpus Christi, including the Benediction hymns, ‘O Salutaris Hostia’ and
‘Tantum Ergo.’ Our picture shows him holding the monstrance, containing the
Blessed Sacrament.
So, what is the celebration of the Feast of Corpus
Christi all about, and why do we make such a fuss about it? Well, the title
‘Corpus Christ’ means, ‘Body of Christi.’ The feast is now call the ‘Body and
Blood of Christ.’ Amazingly, crazily, we believe a piece of bread has been
changed into the crucified and risen body of the creator of heaven and earth,
the saviour of the world. If we stop and think, this is mind blowing! If, as we
believe, this is true, its no wonder we show what we call the ‘Blessed
Sacrament’ so much honour. Under the appearance of bread the creator of heaven
and earth, the redeemer of the world is present in our midst, in the remotest
corners of the world. This is staggering! It demands enormous faith. And that
is what we proclaim to the world in every Corpus Christ –or Blessed Sacrament
–procession.
Why do we believe this? How do we know this is
true? Well, St Paul writing years before the Gospels were composed tells us,
In a few words St. Paul tells us that at the Last Supper Jesus celebrated what
we now
know as the first Mass. In this He changed the bread and wine into His
own Body and Blood. In obedience to Christ’s command the Church continues to
celebrate that sacred meal. As we do so we proclaim the death of the Lord until
He comes. Each Mass makes present for us Christ’s sacrifice of the cross. Under
the form of bread and wine He nourishes us with His own crucified and risen
Body and Blood -the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation. With this
sustenance we can grow into the saving power of Christ’s death and
resurrection.
That is the wonder we celebrate at every Mass.
On the feast of Corpus Christi we stress the
mystery of Jesus remaining with us under the form of bread. He is reserved
in what we call the 'tabernacle' -named after the 'Tent of Meeting,'
the focus of God's presence as He led His people across the desert to the
Promised Land.
Why does our saviour remain with us in this special
way? Firstly, so that He can be taken to the sick and house-bound,
who can’t get to Mass. Jesus comes to nourish them in a special way when they
receive Him in Holy Communion. He supports them in their frailty and suffering
as, in a unique way, they identify with Him in His Passion. When Jesus is taken
to them from the sacrifice of the Mass He makes Himself the sacred bond between
those able to go to Mass and those who can’t. This should give the lonely a sense
of belonging to the worshipping community, and that community a sense of loving
responsibility for those who are no longer able to come to church.
The Blessed Sacrament is also reserved in the
tabernacle so that we can drop into the church, to worship Jesus, who is
present amongst us in a very special way. As we pray before the Blessed
Sacrament we have time to prolong and deepen our understanding and devotion for
Masses we have already attended. This, in turn, should prepare us to take part
in future Masses with greater reverence. In other words, Eucharistic devotion
outside Mass should always be linked to the Mass itself. It’s not meant to be a
devotion independent of the Mass. That’s very true of Benediction and Blessed
Sacrament processions.
Corpus Christi is a wonderful, joyful feast. We
celebrate Christ’s gift of Himself in the Mass, His becoming present in a very
special way, when bread and wine are changed into His own Body and Blood. As He
offers Himself to His heavenly Father and gives Himself to us in the form of a
meal He strengthens our unity with God and with each other, as His people.
It’s not surprising the Mass should be called the
‘Eucharist,’ which means, ‘Thanksgiving.’ Today, above all others, we should be
filled with gratitude for the gift of the Mass!
Isidore Clarke O.P.
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