The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

(06/07/2026) Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:9-13

 

“I Desire Mercy - Not Sacrifice”

 

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord;

whoever eats this bread will live forever.

 

From the desk of Fr. Leo

     Memorial Day is a testimony to the many women and men who have paid a great price for the freedoms and blessings we enjoy. Memorial Day is also a testimony to our short memories. We need such holidays so we don't forget how much we owe to others. One of the worst things we can do for the good of our country and for our own good is to take our blessings for granted.  Let us not take Memorial Day get by without a prayer for those to whom we are indebted for the freedoms and blessings we enjoy; let us not let the day go by without a sense of gratitude for all we have been given.

     Jesus gave us the Mass for the same reason we celebrate Memorial Day, because we can quickly forget how we have been blessed through the sacrifice of Jesus and we quickly forget to be grateful. He told the apostles (and through them, all of us) at the Last Supper: “Do this in memory of me.”

     This weekend at Mass, we celebrate the feast of the Precious Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). Our Mass, though, is more than a simple reminder or remembrance. Our faith teaches us that at Mass, we are mystically connected with Christ's sacrifice and with the presence of the Risen Christ. The most ancient document regarding the Eucharist is St. Paul's Letter to the Corinthians. As St. Paul said in this weekend's second reading: “the cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” This word “participation” also means partnership or sharing. It implies a unity with someone or something. The Scriptures and the constant belief of the Church emphasizes that this unity with Christ in the Eucharist is not just metaphorical but real. Nowhere is this more clearly spelled out than in the sixth chapter of St. John's gospel. The gospel this weekend was a portion of that chapter. Jesus said “the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world....” He went on to say: “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you.” The bread and wine truly become the risen Christ. When we receive Him, we become so united with Him that we share in His risen, divine life. It takes faith to fully understand that. It is the kind of faith that takes to approach the Eucharist. Some day when we've left this life and find ourselves in the next life, then we will know that we have been fed with food that gave us eternal life. In this weekend's feast, the Church reminds us of the great gift Christ has given us, Himself. What greater gift of love can a person give than their own selves? May we not take it for granted.

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Meditation:

What is God's call on your life? Jesus chose Matthew to be his follower and friend, not because Matthew was religious or learned, popular or saintly. Matthew appeared to be none of those. He chose to live a life of wealth and ease. His profession was probably the most corrupted and despised by everyone because tax collectors made themselves wealthy by over-charging and threatening people if they did not hand over their money to them.

God searches our heart

What did Jesus see in Matthew that others did not see? When the prophet Samuel came to the house of Jesse to anoint the future heir to the throne of Israel, he bypassed all the first seven sons and chose the last! "God looks at the heart and not at the appearance of a man" he declared (1 Samuel 16:7-13). David's heart was like a compass looking for true north - it pointed to God. Matthew's heart must have yearned for God, even though he dare not show his face in a synagogue - the Jewish house of prayer and the study of Torah - God's law. When Jesus saw Matthew sitting at his tax office - no doubt counting his day's profit - Jesus spoke only two words - "follow me". Those two words changed Matthew from a self-serving profiteer to a God-serving apostle who would bring the treasures of God's kingdom to the poor and needy.

John Chrysostom, the great 5th century church father, describes Matthew's calling:

"Why did Jesus not call Matthew at the same time as he called Peter and John and the rest? He came to each one at a particular time when he knew that they would respond to him. He came at a different time to call Matthew when he was assured that Matthew would surrender to his call. Similarly, he called Paul at a different time when he was vulnerable, after the resurrection, something like a hunter going after his quarry. For he who is acquainted with our inmost hearts and knows the secrets of our minds knows when each one of us is ready to respond fully. Therefore he did not call them all together at the beginning, when Matthew was still in a hardened condition. Rather, only after countless miracles, after his fame spread abroad, did he call Matthew. He knew Matthew had been softened for full responsiveness."

Jesus- the divine physician

When the Pharisees challenged Jesus' unorthodox behavior in eating with public sinners, Jesus' defense was quite simple. A doctor doesn't need to visit healthy people; instead he goes to those who are sick. Jesus likewise sought out those in the greatest need. A true physician seeks healing of the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. Jesus came as the divine physician and good shepherd to care for his people and to restore them to wholeness of life. The orthodox were so preoccupied with their own practice of religion that they neglected to help the very people who needed spiritual care. Their religion was selfish because they didn't want to have anything to do with people not like themselves. Jesus stated his mission in unequivocal terms: I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners. Ironically the orthodox were as needy as those they despised. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

On more than one occasion Jesus quoted the saying from the prophet Hosea:For I desire mercy and not sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). Do you thank the Lord Jesus for the great mercy he has shown to you? And do you show mercy to your neighbor as well?

Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love. Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood. Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit. Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence. Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself. (Prayer of Augustine, 354-430)

read more at: http://dailyscripture.servantsoftheword.org

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