June 15th, 2025: Eucharist – Corpus Christi
“This Is My Body” – The Power of Words and the Mystery of the Eucharist
Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, the Church invites us to reflect deeply on the mystery of the Eucharist—not as a symbol or ritual, but as the real and living presence of Jesus Christ among us.
We all believe this truth: that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. But the deeper question we must ask ourselves today is: How does this belief translate into action? How do we respond to this truth with our hearts, our minds, and our lives?
To understand the depth of this mystery, we turn to the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, where Jesus delivers His bold and beautiful discourse on the Bread of Life. Speaking in the synagogue at Capernaum, He says:
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. And the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
The crowd was shocked. They murmured among themselves: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” For a first-century Jew, such a claim was not only disturbing—it seemed theologically impossible. The Law of Moses strictly forbade the consumption of blood, associating it with the life that belongs to God alone.
But Jesus did not soften His message. Instead, He made it even clearer:
“Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink.”
His words were unequivocal—there was no room for metaphor or misunderstanding. In the original Greek, the verb Jesus uses—“trogein”—means to gnaw, to chew. He was emphasizing the literal truth of what He was saying. And many of His followers, unable to accept it, walked away.
Yet we, as Catholics, have held on to this truth for over 2,000 years. Why? Because of the power of Jesus’ words. We believe that when He said, “This is my Body,” and “This is my Blood,” He meant it. And just as His words in the Gospels healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead—so too, His words at the Last Supper changed reality.
Let’s take a moment to consider the power of words—even our human words.
A teacher says to a student, “I believe in you,” and that child begins to succeed.
A judge declares, “You are free to go,” and a person’s life changes forever.
A doctor announces, “You are cancer-free,” and the burden of fear is lifted.
A priest says in confession, “I absolve you,” and a soul is restored.
A spouse or friend says, “I forgive you,” and a relationship is healed.
Words—especially when spoken with love or authority—don’t just describe reality; they shape it. They affect it. They can heal, free, uplift, and even recreate.
Now think of the Word of God. The Bible begins with God speaking creation into being: “Let there be light.” And there was light. God’s word doesn’t just describe reality—it creates it.
Jesus, the eternal Word made flesh, carries that same divine authority. So when He took the bread and said, “This is My Body,” and the wine, saying, “This is My Blood,” His words didn’t symbolize something—they changed something. The bread and wine became His true Body and Blood.
And this is the miracle that happens at every Mass.
When the priest, acting in persona Christi, repeats those words at the altar, it is Christ Himself who speaks. Not metaphorically, but truly. And in that moment, the sacrifice of Calvary is made present, and Jesus becomes really and substantially present—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—under the appearance of bread and wine.
But this brings us back to our question: If we truly believe this, how do we live it?
We must not let Holy Communion become a routine. Let us approach the altar with awe and reverence, fully conscious of who we are about to receive. As we receive the Body of Christ, let our hearts silently say, “My Lord and my God.”
After Communion, when we return to our pews, let us not be distracted. That is a sacred time for:
Thanksgiving – Thanking the Lord for His presence and His love.
Worship – Adoring Him who now dwells within us.
Petition – Bringing our needs, and the needs of others, before Him.
This quiet moment is a personal audience with the King of Heaven, who has just united Himself to you in the most intimate way possible. What a privilege! What a mystery!
Let us renew our devotion to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Let it shape how we pray, how we live, how we treat others, and how we approach every Mass—not as an obligation, but as a divine encounter.
May our belief in the Eucharist not just remain in our minds, but take root in our hearts and show itself in our lives.
And so, dear friends, as we prepare to receive Him today, let us say with renewed faith:
“Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.”
Amen.