The Body and Blood of Christ

06-14-2020Weekly ReflectionJames Gaffney, © 2008 Karides Lic. to St. George Publishing

After dinner at our parents’ home on Christmas Day, we were sitting at the table, reminiscing about the Christmas celebrations of our childhood. The middle brother picked up one of my mother’s in- credible cookies and held it up as he announced that this was the best memory of his childhood Christ- mas. He told the story of being ten years old and sneaking to the kitchen in the middle of the night, just to get a Christmas cookie. A second later, the cookie was gone and it became another part of his memories!

Our celebration of the Body and Blood of Christ is more that just remembering the past. Through the sacrament, the sacrifice of Jesus is made present again under the forms of bread and wine. We do not simply recall the Pascal Mystery; we are present to it and participate in it. We are joined with all those who believe—past, present and future—to offer the one perfect sacrifice of Jesus. The most visible sign of that unity is when we gather around the altar to celebrate the Word and Work of the Lord.

Gathering around the table of the Lord, we cele- brate the faith of the Church. We hear the stories and wisdom of those who have gone before us. We share the example and grace of those who are with us. We offer our prayers and hopes for those who will come after us. We are mindful of the gift of life, the gift of grace and the gift of forgiveness that is the Body and Blood of Christ.