DAILY- HOMILY

June 7, 2015 – THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

Solemnity, White    

Ex 24: 3 - 8 / Heb 9: 11-15 / Mk 14: 12-16, 22-26

First Reading:  Ex 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."

Second Reading: Heb 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. 

Gospel: Mk 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 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, passed it to them and they all drank from it. And he said, "This is my blood, the blood of the Covenant, which is to be poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not taste the fruit of the vine again until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God."

     After singing psalms of praise, they went out to the Hill of Olives. 

Reflection:

     Vatican II tells us that the Holy Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." (Lumen Gentium, #11; Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 1324).  Since Christian life is our spiritual life, we can truly say that the Eucharist is "the source and summit of Christian spirituality."

     According to writer Mark Brumley, to say the Eucharist is "the source and summit of Christian spirituality" means two things: first, that Christian spirituality flows from the Eucharist as its source, in the way light streams forth from the sun, and, secondly, that Christian spirituality is supremely realized in and ordered to the Eucharist as its summit and high point, that to which all our actions should ultimately be directed.

     Christian spirituality is then a two-way street: it leads us to the Eucharist as the starting point out into the world of our daily life and it takes us back home to the Eucharist after our sojourn in the world.

     These notions on the Eucharist may seem too theological but the practical understanding of the Eucharist remains – that the Eucharist is an opportunity to establish a more intimate relationship with Jesus which is truly the end-goal of our lives and existence. The Eucharist reminds us of the great sacrifice of Jesus, of his selflessness in offering himself for our salvation. Only in imitating the example of Jesus will we find our lives meaningful.

     The Eucharist gives us the opportunity to be present when the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. The sacrifice of Christ is made present to us today and we are able to partake of his body and blood given in unconditional love, something expected from anyone who professes to be a follower and believer of Jesus.

     The Eucharist is a community experience: it not merely the presider's. The presider is to lead and animate the faithful for a joyful and meaningful celebration of the sacrifice of Jesus. The active understanding and participation of the faithful are needed because the Eucharist is a communal celebration. Thus, in the Eucharist personal prayers are hopefully left to a minimum; personal prayers and devotions and novenas are done before or after Mass.

     But more important, the Eucharist belongs to Jesus. Jesus left us the Eucharist so we can remember his desire to relate to us. The Eucharist renews the covenant between God and his people. Just as the people of Israel made a covenant with God as he freed them from slavery in Egypt, God's new covenant with his people was sealed at Christ's death on the cross: "This is my body, given for you. This is my blood, shed for you." In communion Jesus gives himself to us; we give ourselves back to him in obedience and love.  In the Eucharist Jesus teaches us the meaning of love; in the Eucharist Jesus gives us the power to love.

     There is much room and need for us to celebrate the Eucharist in a more joyful and meaningful manner. We are challenged as a community to be more involved in the Eucharist and to participate in a manner which strengthens our desire to be with Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and thus confirm and strengthen our covenant with him. Only then can we have a true and deeper understanding of the Eucharist, our Lord's Body and Blood given to us as the Lord's loving and lasting memorial.                                                                                                            

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     ATTY. JUNI HO GOTAMCO

     DANIEL BABLES

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!

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