Sunday Gospel Reflection
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Matthew 14:12-16, 22-26
Body and Blood Given for Love
Carlo S. Dureza
Twenty-one years ago in 2000, I had embarked on a religious pilgrimage to Europe and visited the most scenic places a tourist could ever desire. What has remained in my mind to this day are the majestic centuries-old churches, pristine mountain groves, and the august stone and brick walls of the ancient structures that dotted the land areas of the earth’s most nostalgic continent.
Apart from the breath-taking scenery that accompanied my spiritual sojourn, the other distinct memory I hold to this day is a song I learned first in that pilgrimage. We would always end each day with a Mass, and—right after the raising of the host and chalice—we would sing a short hymn that went like this:
“We remember how You loved us to Your death,
And so we celebrate for You are with us here.
And we believe that we will see You when You come in Your glory Lord.
We remember, we celebrate, we believe…”
This solemn verse has stuck in my mind from the first time I heard its melody during daily evening Masses 21 years ago. It had evoked something significant in my relationship with Jesus as I continued to grow in my faith. I had always embraced God as my Lord and Savior and had always marveled at the love He had for me as evidenced by His death on the cross. The Cross of Jesus always enfleshes the pain and suffering He went through to make me live. The thorns that pierced His head, the nails that drove through His palms and feet, the lance that struck His side, and the shroud that wrapped His lifeless blood-drenched body conjured images of selfless giving of one’s flesh and blood.
Jesus’ flesh and blood offered to a point of death for our salvation is what we remember, celebrate, and believe. We recall His arduous trek to Calvary; we rejoice in His triumph over death after His bitter passion; and we continue to live life joyfully in our conviction that by His Resurrection, we are raised with Him and are now a part of His Kingdom. It is in this conviction that through the Eucharist, we are genuinely, intimately, and eternally united with Christ Jesus.
In our human lives, we encounter many people who have made little and big sacrifices for us. In a way, they have become like Jesus who had offered their flesh and blood for us to live and experience joy and freedom. We have heard the idioms, “dugo at laman” or “dugo at pawis”… na ito ang pinamumuhunan sa paghihirap ng iba para lang mabuhay tayo o maibigay ang ating mga pangangailangan. They need not be big-named people. They may be the ones we come across in our simple, daily lives: our family, most especially our parents, our siblings, friends, fellow workers, churchmates, house help, who have all put up with us.
Even the street cleaners who toil under the heat of the scorching sun to make our surroundings tidy; the toilet attendants in malls who bear the stench of human waste just to address our hygiene needs, the hospital frontliners and security guards who risk their lives to provide us with care and protection in these trying times…they work hard to make life easier and lighter for us, more enjoyable, and more meaningful. No amount could really compensate for their sacrifices because their bodies and blood are priceless.
Jesus has set the way. He gave His flesh and blood for us. Let us rejoice and be grateful. Let us thank Him sincerely. Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. Let us imbibe the value of suffering, sacrifice, and self-giving which were first lain when Jesus celebrated the Last Supper. His body took the form of bread, His blood, wine. He gave these out of love for us so we may have real food and drink to live! Today we celebrate the Eucharist as the sacramental expression of Jesus’ Paschal Mystery.
Happy Sunday and Happy Fiesta to all! God Bless!
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Artwork:
Última Cena by Juan de Juanes
