The gift of all gifts is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Today, the Feast Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus, we celebrate this gift.
Jesus left us this food and drink to nourish us and strengthen us as we live our faith in the world today. It is isn’t easy to be a follower of Christ. If we are following Him and walking in His footsteps, the world will treat us in the same way. For this we need his assistance.
People come into this church or any Catholic church because of the peace and gentleness they find there. It doesn’t matter if it is as beautiful and grand as St. Patrick’s in New York or the Cathedral downtown. It doesn’t matter if it is as small and intimate as our church here at St. Michael’s. It doesn’t matter if it has the stained glass of Chartres or if it is as modern as St. James. People come at all times of the day to sit and pray. We come for one reason – He is here. He is in every Catholic Church, in every tabernacle. He did not leave us orphans and alone. He accompanies us every step of the way.
But it is not just to nourish us and strengthen us that He gives us Himself. Nor is it only to be with us and accompany us that He is Sacramentally and Really present on the altar and in the tabernacle. Through this gift of Himself to us, He makes us into Himself. He makes us holy, He makes us and molds us into saints. Then, we truly become His body on earth, His hands and feet, His smile and look of love, His compassion and care.
“…Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ inebriate me…” (from the prayer Anima Christi)