The Thursday after Trinity Sunday is the Feast of Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ.) For Catholics everywhere this should be a very big deal. Jesus, before His passion, when He knew that He would be separated from His humanity, gave Himself to us in a very intimate way. He didn’t leave us orphaned. When He told His apostles that He would be with us to the end of the world, He meant it. He gave us the Eucharist–His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
A long time ago, when I was in the 7th and 8th grade, we had a Corpus Christi procession on the Feast when we walked reverently through the streets of the small city where our church was located. I dressed in my Sunday best and marched along with several hundred other people with the Blessed Sacrament. I was allowed to attend with my school friends. We didn’t need a nun to remind us of the solemnity of the occasion. We were silent except when singing hymns or praying with the others around us. What a great memory! Unfortunately, these were the last of my Corpus Christi processions of my childhood. Our parish never did them again.
I’ve always loved the Eucharist. I love the Adoration Chapel. When the parish instituted perpetual adoration a few years ago, I committed to two hours. However, this was stopped by one of our pastors a few years ago. I still go once a week. Been doing it for years. My days are busy and so full of distractions; yet, when I walk into the chapel, it’s as if Jesus is asking me to sit with Him and learn from Him that “His yoke is easy and His burden is light.” In the Chapel, it is easy to gaze upon Him and feel myself in His presence much like the disciples were with Him in Galilee. There is only the two of us. Worries and distractions are far, far away. I am at peace.
I fear for my Protestant brothers and sisters who don’t believe in the Real Presence. I fear for those who call themselves Catholic and don’t believe in the Real Presence. I especially fear for those who call themselves priests and bishops who don’t believe in the Real Presence or allow abuse of the sacrament.
There’s a prayer that the priest says before consuming the Eucharist at Mass. It’s a good prayer for all of us to pray.
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, through your Death gave life to the world, free me by this, your most holy Body and blood, from all my sins and from every evil; keep me always faithful to your commandments and never let me be parted from you.”
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine. All Praise and All Thanksgiving Be Every Moment Thine.
Dr. Linda L. Powell 