Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

06-22-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Fred Adamson

Dear Parishioners,

As Pilgrims of Hope, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) this weekend around the world. It is a day in the Church to focus on the great gift of the Eucharist and in a particular way how the Eucharist is our hope. As I ponder what that means, I think of the hope we have in the mystical union that occurs as we receive the divine gift of God in the Eucharist. Holy Communion deepens our communion with God and with one another, the Church. He dwells in us and allows us to share in His divine life.

We are partakers in the Body of Christ – united to Him in His suffering, death and resurrection – new life. It is a saving gift to us every time we approach the altar and receive with the proclamation – Amen. God in His humble love dwells in us and with His people.

What hope we find in our God, who so desires to be one with us, that He provides us with spiritual nourishment that is His very self. We receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ and then are sent out in the final blessing to transform the world by the grace we have received. This is the hope of the world.

In the center page of the bulletin this week I have shared a few paragraphs from the Catholic Catechism of the Church on some of the fruits of Holy Communion. It does us well to think about what we receive but also the effects it has on us when we share in the divine gift of the Eucharist. They are the first two listed in the Catechism – Holy Communion augments our union with Christ, Holy Communion separates us from sin and the Eucharist preserves us from future mortal sin. I encourage you to read them over and ponder them. Think about the union with Christ every time we say Amen and receive our Lord. That union is what sustains us in our ongoing conversion. We receive Him so He can perfect us even more. What hope there is in the gift of Holy Communion!

In receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, we participate in God’s love for us as individuals and a community. In that sense, we are letting God the Father love us in the gift of His Son and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We as Catholics cherish this great gift that strengthens us on our journey. Today throughout the world we focus on this great gift that sustains always – it is our hope. We are filled with gratitude.

My prayer for us as a community, is that the gift of the Eucharist will continue to conform us to the will of God. That our charity for all will grow and we will be moved to mission in our community and the world.

Blessings to all on this beautiful Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

Hope always in the Eucharistic Lord,

Fr. Fred