Gospel Meditations

Sharing what we have received

This Sunday we celebrate the great Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi. This Sunday offers us the opportunity to reflect more deeply on the importance of the Eucharist in our lives as stewards. The Catechism says that “the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324).

The Eucharist being the “source” means that through the reception of Jesus at Mass, we receive the grace to “do all things through Him who strengthens us” (Phil 4:13). As stewards, we should remember that all of our charitable works are made possible and fruitful because of God sustaining us in all things. The Eucharist being the “summit” teaches us that everything we do should point us back to the Mass which should remain the highlight of our entire week. The Mass is everything. It is in the Mass that Jesus’ perfect sacrifice at Calvary is made present before us and is our closest foretaste of Heaven.

This constant interplay of source and summit is what should guide us as stewards. This image is best captured in the common practice of Corpus Christi Eucharistic processions. We first receive Christ in the Eucharist and then we bring Him out into the world for all to see. That is the life of a steward. Let us strive to receive Christ as often as we can, even on weekdays if possible. Once we have received Him in Mass let us then strive to share Him with others.

Summary

The Mass is everything, for the Catechism says that “the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life” (CCC 1324). This image is best captured in the common practice of Corpus Christi Eucharistic processions in which we first receive Christ in the Eucharist and then bring Him out into the world for all to see. Let us strive to receive Christ as often as we can, even on weekdays if possible, and then seek to share His love within us with others as an act of good stewardship.