Feast of Corpus Christi: "Unless you do eat the flesh of the Son of Man...

...and drink his blood, you have no life within you." John 6:53

What a great day to read and meditate on the gospel of St. John, chapter 6. Anyone who reads this chapter with prayerful attention can never again talk about he Eucharist as a "symbol." Jesus makes it very clear that He is talking about the bread of the Eucharist becoming His REAL flesh and blood. "For my flesh is real food and my blood real drink."

Some people accuse Catholics of cannibalism, but cannibals eat their own species and the flesh and blood they eat and drink becomes part of their bodies.

It is not so with the Eucharist.

At the direction of God Himself, we eat the Body and Blood of Christ. But unlike regular food which becomes part of our bodies, the Eucharist makes us part of His Body. The "Body of Christ," as the people of God, is never more graphically illustrated than at Mass after Communion. All of those partaking of the Eucharist are one in Christ's body. Our hearts beat as one and we worship as one in Christ. Which is why our Sunday obligation is so important. We cannot be "one body" in the Church if we do not become one in Christ through the unity of the Eucharist. Read about the history of the Feast of Corpus Christi here.

Anima ChristiSoul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Chirst, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me and bid me come unto thee,

That with thy saints I may praise thee forever and ever.

 Amen.