June 23 // Feast of the Most Holy Body & Blood

Reading I: Genesis 14:18-20
Responsorial Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel: Luke 9:11b-17

The Gospel for Corpus Christi is Luke’s account of Jesus’ miraculous feeding of a huge crowd, with only five loaves and two fish. This is a well-known story, found in all four Gospels.

Jesus had been speaking to the people about the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom—wherever and whenever God’s will is done—is a place or a state of abundance. Unbelievable abundance. In God’s Kingdom, no one will be hungry.
On this occasion, Jesus healed people “who needed to be cured.” In God’s Kingdom, no one will be ill or disabled.

And when it was time for supper, everyone in that crowd was able to eat and be satisfied, even though it appeared that there was only enough food for a few. Jesus’ blessing and sharing of this food looks forward to the Last Supper, and what we call the institution of the Eucharist.

That thousands of people ate the loaves and fish together should remind us that the Eucharist is not a me-and-God thing. We eat and drink the “Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ” as a community. And as a community, we go out to bring food to those among us who are hungry, and the blessings of shelter, health care, education and peace to all who are in need.

Sheryl Zabel
RCIA Coordinator