SEDL: Anima Christi

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Grace: My Lord Jesus, I beg for the grace to share in your Body and your Blood.

Scriptural Reading:

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives (Mk 14:12-16, 22-26).

Points for Reflection:

Christ prepares.

He did not leave things until the last moment. So, when his disciples asked him where they would be holding their party, he sent them into Jerusalem with instructions to look for a man carrying a jar of water. It was something, if not unique, queer. For to carry a jar of water was a woman’s duty. It was a thing that no man ever did, at least for the Jews during Jesus’s time. A man with a jar of water on his shoulder would stand out in any crowd as much as, say, a man on one summer day wearing puscha-colored shirt with a flaming red umbrella.

Jesus did not leave things until the last minute. For the man would lead them to the upper room that has been prepared for the Passover. The preparations were no joke. I was trying to look for a brief description of the works done to prepare one – most, if not all, are at least two pages long. It was a very detailed celebration. Yet, as one commentator aptly puts it, every detail spoke of that great day of deliverance when God liberated his people from their bondage in Egypt. It was at that feast that he who liberated the world from sin was to sit at his last meal with his disciples.

Christ presents.

It was at that feast that the Christ who liberated the world from sin was not only to sit at his last meal with his disciples. It was this same Christ who presents himself to be food and drink to those who believe.

“This is my body.”
“This is my blood.”

And for those who partake in Christ’s offering, Christ promises a new Kingdom – of life eternal, of life abounding in love and grace.

Christ promises.

Christ prepares, Christ presents, Christ promises – the gift of himself to you. The least thing that we can do is to receive him in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

Prepare your hearts: forgive a family member or an old friend or yourself.
Present yourself: no need for trappings in front of God, just be yourself.
Promise: to do good to yourself, to others -- especially to those you do not like.


Take Note: Next week, we will start seeing each other again. Same place, same time – Loyola House of Studies, Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. God bless you all.