Saturday, June 09, 2012
FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
JUNE 10, 2012
FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
Ex 24:3-8 / Heb 9:11-15 / Mk 14:12-16, 22-26
EXODUS 24:3-8
Moses came and told the people all the words of Yahweh and all his
laws. The people replied with one voice: "Everything that Yahweh has
said, we shall do." Moses wrote down all the words of Yahweh, then
rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the
mountain with twelve raised stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. He
then sent young men from among the sons of Israel to offer burnt
offerings and sacrifice bullocks as peace offerings to Yahweh. And
Moses took half the blood and put it in basins; and with the other
half of the blood he sprinkled the altar. He then took the Book of the
Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. They said, "All
that Yahweh said we shall do and obey." Moses then took the blood and
sprinkled it on the people saying, "Here is the blood of the covenant
that Yahweh has made with you in accordance with all these words."
HEBREWS 9:11-15
But now Christ has appeared as the high priest with regard to the good
things of these new times. He passed through a sanctuary more noble
and perfect, not made by hands, that is, not created. He did not take
with himself the blood of goats and bulls but his own blood, when he
entered once and for all into this sanctuary after obtaining
definitive redemption. If the sprinkling of people defiled by sin with
the blood of goats and bulls or with the ashes of a heifer provides
them with exterior cleanness and holiness, how much more will it be
with the blood of Christ? He, moved by the eternal Spirit, offered
himself as an unblemished victim to God and his blood cleanses us from
dead works, so that we may serve the living God. So Christ is the
mediator of a new covenant or testament. His death made atonement for
the sins committed under the old testament, and the promise is handed
over to all who are called to the everlasting inheritance.
MARK 14:12-16, 22-26
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the day when the
Passover Lamb was killed, the disciples asked him, "Where would you
have us go to prepare the Passover meal for you?" So Jesus sent two of
his disciples with these instructions, "Go into the city, and there a
man will come to you carrying a jar of water. Follow him to the house
he enters and say to the owner, `The Master says, Where is the room
where I may eat the Passover meal with my disciples?' Then he will
show you a large room upstairs, already arranged and furnished. There
you will prepare for us." The disciples went off. When they reached
the city, they found everything just as Jesus had told them; and they
prepared the Passover meal. While they were eating, Jesus took bread,
blessed it and broke it, and gave it to them. And he said, "Take this,
it is my body." Then he took a cup, and after he had given thanks, he
passed it to them and they all drank from it. And he said, "This is my
blood, the blood of the Cove nant, poured out for many. Truly, I say
to you, I will not taste the fruit of the vine again, until that day
when I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God." After singing psalms
of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
REFLECTION
God is a giver of many gifts and therefore one of the most important
attitudes for us in our relationship with God is the attitude of
thanksgiving. At the beginning of every Eucharistic Prayer at Mass
there is the call to give thanks to the Lord . To give thanks always
and everywhere to God is most fitting for expressing the heart's
gratitude for that goodness of the gift-giving God.
The very word "Eucharist" comes from the Greek word for "thanksgiving"
and that is a reminder that every celebration of the Eucharist is a
celebration of thanksgiving. That means that today can be seen as a
very special "thanksgiving day" and indeed for a very special gift.
Today's Gospel reminds us of the last supper that Jesus had desired to
share with the disciples before he died. Then, as his last gift he
took the bread and the cup saying that the bread was his body and the
cup was the cup of his blood to be poured out on behalf of many. But
the Lord did not intend this last supper to be just a mere "once and
only" celebration. To his disciples he said, "Do this in remembrance
of me!" From that night when the gift of the first Eucharist was
given, the Body and Blood of Jesus will continue to be given down
through the centuries. Certainly it is a gift worthy of the solemn
celebration of today's feast!
But who can claim to be worthy of such a gift? Let us not forget that
the gift is freely given not as a reward for holiness or goodness. It
is a gift given by the Lord who totally loves everyone – saints and
sinners alike – so that the weak can be nourished to be strong. As a
matter of fact our Second Eucharistic Prayer boldly proclaims during
the Mass: "We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your
presence and serve you." Not a reward because we are good or holy,
this food and drink is given to nourish and strengthen us. As the
Prefaces for special Masses for the Eucharist pray: "As we eat his
body which he gave for us, we grow in strength. As we drink his blood
which he poured out for us, we are washed clean" And again: "In this
great sacrament you feed your people and strengthen them in
holiness. . . We come to this wonderful sacrament to be fed at your
table and grow into the likeness of the risen Christ."
Thanksgiving is also expressed these days more and more by Eucharistic
adoration. In the Body and Blood of Christ present in the Eucharist
the abiding presence of the Lord who is always "Emmanuel" – God with
us – is realized. In a world of frenetic activity and distractions,
quiet moments of prayerful – even wordless – of "being with" the Lord
in the Eucharist can also be very nourishing. These quiet moments of
thankful adoration can be special moments of experiencing his
presence. Yes, there is so much to be thankful for today in this
celebration of the gift of Christ's Body and Blood!
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Ken Stevens, and Shirley Weber
- Gene L, Jack, Bob, Brian, Michael G, Linda O, Mary Ann, Delores,
John T & Fr Larry
- Julie Manzon, Delly David, Jovelyn Ureta, Linda Manzon
… for the personal intentions of
- Earl James S. Gonzalez
- Dana, Ben, Rita & Pam, Mark M, Eugene R
- Glenda Bisco, Estelita Escamilla, Julie B. Manzon, Veronica
Balatero
- Frances Marie Gonzalez
… In Thanksgiving: Manzon Family, Barayoga Family
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Dina Magbitang
- Birthday: Fortunato M. Gupit
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
**************************************************
These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only.
Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends,
colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the
following:
+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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To subscribe from this free mailing service, send email to: dailyhomily@earthlink.net
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© 2012 Daily-Homily
FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
Ex 24:3-8 / Heb 9:11-15 / Mk 14:12-16, 22-26
EXODUS 24:3-8
Moses came and told the people all the words of Yahweh and all his
laws. The people replied with one voice: "Everything that Yahweh has
said, we shall do." Moses wrote down all the words of Yahweh, then
rose early in the morning and built an altar at the foot of the
mountain with twelve raised stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. He
then sent young men from among the sons of Israel to offer burnt
offerings and sacrifice bullocks as peace offerings to Yahweh. And
Moses took half the blood and put it in basins; and with the other
half of the blood he sprinkled the altar. He then took the Book of the
Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. They said, "All
that Yahweh said we shall do and obey." Moses then took the blood and
sprinkled it on the people saying, "Here is the blood of the covenant
that Yahweh has made with you in accordance with all these words."
HEBREWS 9:11-15
But now Christ has appeared as the high priest with regard to the good
things of these new times. He passed through a sanctuary more noble
and perfect, not made by hands, that is, not created. He did not take
with himself the blood of goats and bulls but his own blood, when he
entered once and for all into this sanctuary after obtaining
definitive redemption. If the sprinkling of people defiled by sin with
the blood of goats and bulls or with the ashes of a heifer provides
them with exterior cleanness and holiness, how much more will it be
with the blood of Christ? He, moved by the eternal Spirit, offered
himself as an unblemished victim to God and his blood cleanses us from
dead works, so that we may serve the living God. So Christ is the
mediator of a new covenant or testament. His death made atonement for
the sins committed under the old testament, and the promise is handed
over to all who are called to the everlasting inheritance.
MARK 14:12-16, 22-26
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the day when the
Passover Lamb was killed, the disciples asked him, "Where would you
have us go to prepare the Passover meal for you?" So Jesus sent two of
his disciples with these instructions, "Go into the city, and there a
man will come to you carrying a jar of water. Follow him to the house
he enters and say to the owner, `The Master says, Where is the room
where I may eat the Passover meal with my disciples?' Then he will
show you a large room upstairs, already arranged and furnished. There
you will prepare for us." The disciples went off. When they reached
the city, they found everything just as Jesus had told them; and they
prepared the Passover meal. While they were eating, Jesus took bread,
blessed it and broke it, and gave it to them. And he said, "Take this,
it is my body." Then he took a cup, and after he had given thanks, he
passed it to them and they all drank from it. And he said, "This is my
blood, the blood of the Cove nant, poured out for many. Truly, I say
to you, I will not taste the fruit of the vine again, until that day
when I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God." After singing psalms
of praise, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
REFLECTION
God is a giver of many gifts and therefore one of the most important
attitudes for us in our relationship with God is the attitude of
thanksgiving. At the beginning of every Eucharistic Prayer at Mass
there is the call to give thanks to the Lord . To give thanks always
and everywhere to God is most fitting for expressing the heart's
gratitude for that goodness of the gift-giving God.
The very word "Eucharist" comes from the Greek word for "thanksgiving"
and that is a reminder that every celebration of the Eucharist is a
celebration of thanksgiving. That means that today can be seen as a
very special "thanksgiving day" and indeed for a very special gift.
Today's Gospel reminds us of the last supper that Jesus had desired to
share with the disciples before he died. Then, as his last gift he
took the bread and the cup saying that the bread was his body and the
cup was the cup of his blood to be poured out on behalf of many. But
the Lord did not intend this last supper to be just a mere "once and
only" celebration. To his disciples he said, "Do this in remembrance
of me!" From that night when the gift of the first Eucharist was
given, the Body and Blood of Jesus will continue to be given down
through the centuries. Certainly it is a gift worthy of the solemn
celebration of today's feast!
But who can claim to be worthy of such a gift? Let us not forget that
the gift is freely given not as a reward for holiness or goodness. It
is a gift given by the Lord who totally loves everyone – saints and
sinners alike – so that the weak can be nourished to be strong. As a
matter of fact our Second Eucharistic Prayer boldly proclaims during
the Mass: "We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your
presence and serve you." Not a reward because we are good or holy,
this food and drink is given to nourish and strengthen us. As the
Prefaces for special Masses for the Eucharist pray: "As we eat his
body which he gave for us, we grow in strength. As we drink his blood
which he poured out for us, we are washed clean" And again: "In this
great sacrament you feed your people and strengthen them in
holiness. . . We come to this wonderful sacrament to be fed at your
table and grow into the likeness of the risen Christ."
Thanksgiving is also expressed these days more and more by Eucharistic
adoration. In the Body and Blood of Christ present in the Eucharist
the abiding presence of the Lord who is always "Emmanuel" – God with
us – is realized. In a world of frenetic activity and distractions,
quiet moments of prayerful – even wordless – of "being with" the Lord
in the Eucharist can also be very nourishing. These quiet moments of
thankful adoration can be special moments of experiencing his
presence. Yes, there is so much to be thankful for today in this
celebration of the gift of Christ's Body and Blood!
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Ken Stevens, and Shirley Weber
- Gene L, Jack, Bob, Brian, Michael G, Linda O, Mary Ann, Delores,
John T & Fr Larry
- Julie Manzon, Delly David, Jovelyn Ureta, Linda Manzon
… for the personal intentions of
- Earl James S. Gonzalez
- Dana, Ben, Rita & Pam, Mark M, Eugene R
- Glenda Bisco, Estelita Escamilla, Julie B. Manzon, Veronica
Balatero
- Frances Marie Gonzalez
… In Thanksgiving: Manzon Family, Barayoga Family
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Dina Magbitang
- Birthday: Fortunato M. Gupit
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
**************************************************
These reflections are distributed free and are for personal use only.
Feel free to send the Daily Prayer reflections to your friends,
colleagues and relatives; however, if you do, please include the
following:
+================================================+
| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
| priests, laity and friends of Mary the Queen Parish
| http://www.marythequeen.org
| Distributed free and for personal use only.
+================================================+
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GoogleGroup Address: http://groups.google.com/group/daily_homily
To subscribe from this free mailing service, send email to: dailyhomily@earthlink.net
To unsubscribe: daily_homily-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com
© 2012 Daily-Homily
