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Sunday, June 6, 2010

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Body and Blood of Christ
(Corpus Christi)


Genesis 14:18-20
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Psalm 110:1-4
Luke 9:11-17

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"The Lord Jesus on the night in which He was betrayed took bread, and after He had given thanks, broke it and said, 'This is My body, which is for you.' " —1 Corinthians 11:23-24

On this solemn feast day of the Body and Blood of Christ, we rejoice that Jesus did and does change bread into His body and wine into His blood (1 Cor 11:24-25). At the eucharist, Jesus takes our insignificant lives and multiplies them to change the world, as He multiplied the loaves and fish to feed the masses (Lk 9:16-17). At Mass, bread, wine, our lives, and our world are changed. Everything can be changed because after the Last Supper Jesus changed hate into love, sin into salvation, and death into life by His death and resurrection.

Because of Jesus' broken body and shed blood on Calvary, all can have their human nature changed and thereby conquer sin, slavery, self, Satan, and death. The eucharist is the constant sign that Jesus has changed life. He remains present to love us into accepting Him by faith and accepting a life changed by Him.

When we receive Holy Communion today on this feast of Corpus Christi, let's repent and allow Jesus to change anything in our lives displeasing to Him. If we are anything less than 100% committed to Jesus, let's change to a total commitment. Jesus will change us, as He changes bread into His body and wine into His blood.

Prayer:  "Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore. O make us love Thee more and more."

Promise:  "Do this in remembrance of Me." —1 Cor 11:24

Praise:  "Blessed be His Most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar."

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape teaching on the Eucharist on audio AV 1A-3 or video V-1A.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2009

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