One more big Solemnity, and then it’s a return to the Sundays of Ordinary Time. This coming weekend we’ll celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, which used to be known as Corpus Christi. In some European countries it is celebrated on Thursday, and is a national holiday.
I know that some find it difficult to believe that the bread and wine are transformed into the actual Body and Blood of Christ. It utterly goes against logic that this happens despite no change in appearance. As one who had presided at the Eucharist for 40 years, I can assure you that I need just as much faith as you do. There’s no tingle or rush or special vibes of any kind; nothing happens to me when I speak the words of Consecration.
I’m also aware that over the centuries there have been many Eucharistic miracles that affected individuals or communities. These are miracles that occurred during Mass when the bread changed into real flesh during the consecration and the wine changed to real blood. Many such Eucharistic Miracles have occurred in various parts of the world and throughout the two millennia of Christian history and have been authenticated by the Church. Man, I would totally freak if that happened at any Mass of which I was a part.
But you know what I think is the real Eucharistic miracle? Notice how the Eucharistic celebration brings together people of so many different backgrounds, ages, levels of faith, income, status, health, languages, and so on. I still vividly remember at one parish I served where the bank president and his family sat directly behind a Laotian family both parents were janitors at the bank. In no other circumstances could they have met as equals. But all hear the same Word, eat the same Bread, drink from the same Cup, and extend the Greeting of Peace. Amazing! Just amazing!
Be God’s smile for someone today!
