Oh, My Lord, My God

The town of Orvieto, Italy, where we recently traveled on our pilgrimage.  

The cathedral was begun in 1290 on the foundation of an Etruscan temple.  

Sunday, June 23 is the celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi.  This Feast was instituted on August 11, 1264 by Pope Urban IV in the bull, “Transiturus de Hoc Mundo,” which says,
 “We should celebrate continuously the memory of this memorial, because the more frequently his gift and favour are looked upon, so much the more firmly are they kept in memory. Therefore, although this memorial Sacrament is frequented in the daily solemnities of the Mass, we nevertheless think suitable and worthy that, at least once a year – especially to confound the lack of faith and the infamy of heretics – a more solemn and honourable memory of this Sacrament be held.

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.

Corpus Christi Sunday and the Corporal Works of Mercy

Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi, the day we celebrate the Body and Blood of Christ, the God-Man. He dignified our human nature by taking on flesh. What better day to do the corporal works of mercy in honor of the feast.

So Larry and I are taking a trip to Johns Hopkins to visit my brother who is suffering the ravages of a debilitating stroke (last July) complicated by onset of a disease related to MS (I can't remember the name off-hand.). Please pray for John. Only a few months ago he was able to walk with a four-pronged cane and, while he needed lots of assistance, he could do many things for himself. Now he needs help for everything. He's a relatively young man, only 55, a retired police officer, who was always there for anyone who needed a helping hand. He has shifted from being the Good Samaritan to being the wounded Jew, a much more difficult role.

We'll be praying several rosaries in the car on our five-hour round trip both for John and all those who face the prospect of suffering that isn't likely to go away. That's the worst kind, a priest once told me. You suffer and know things are only likely to get worse. We pray for a miracle of healing for John if it's God's will and for his courageous perseverance if it's not. Only God knows the purpose of this painful time in John's life. He is downhearted but not defeated. May his guardian angel and patron saints surround him with their love and strength and help him lift his eyes toward the throne of God.

Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for John and all those suffering this day. St. John, St. Michael, and St. Joseph, pray for him. Angel of God, stay his side. And may the Body and Blood of Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist bring relief to John and our suffering world.