Corpus Christi Homily

Post date: Jun 08, 2021 1:21:51 AM

June 6, 2021 Homily by Fr. Karl Schray

A young girl in a white veil approaches the Altar for her

first Holy Communion. There have been big events in her life,

but this Holy Communion is the climax of her young life.

With practiced hands she receives it on the palm and

passes it with reverence to her lips. God is with her now!

An old woman waits on her deathbed for her last Holy Communion.

There have been big events in her life but now with her last Communion

comes the climax of old age. She welcomes her Savior with all the fervor

her body will allow. God is with her now, as she will be with him for all eternity.

The first Holy Communion is always a fervent one. So is the last.

We bring to the first the freshness of youth; we bring to the last the

clarity of old age. What about the Communions in between?

The Communions missed through indifference or even sin?

Plan ahead to avoid missing Holy Mass.

Prayer and attention help us prevent routine.

Does Communion matter in life? Yes, very much.

Firstly, our Lord nourishes us in Holy Communion-food for our souls.

“If you do not eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood,

you have no life in you.” Jesus tells us.

Secondly, in Holy Communion, our Lord makes us one with himself. The intimacy born of Communion is closest of all.

Thirdly, in Holy Communion, our Lord makes us one with each other.

Don’t think of this Sacrament purely as a personal love affair

between Jesus and yourself. It is certainly that. But it is more.

Not just my Communion with Christ but our Communion with each other

in Christ.

As Communicants, we are not like stones scattered around a field.

We are like stones in a wall, keeping each other in place and

being kept in place by the others. We are family!

Finally, regular reception of Christ’s body is an assurance of

resurrection.

“Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and

I shall raise them up on the last day” (John 6:54)

As remote as it may seem now, our resurrection is the one promise on

which we base our hope.

I cannot believe that death is the supreme reality.

I cannot believe that we were born to wither like a sunbaked leaf and to rot

in the dampness of the earth.

We were not born for death; we were born for resurrection.

And we have it on the Savior’s word that if we are faithful to His Gospel

and Eucharist, we, too, will rise on resurrection day.

It is a mighty thought, a happy thought, a hopeful thought.

Take it away with you and

may it bring you closer in Holy Communion to Jesus,

our Risen Lord.