( Be sure to take advantage of the underlined links I apologize for any advertisement that is inappropriate .) Corpus Christi SCRIPTURE: CATECHISM: THEME

Rdg 1 - Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14B-16A CCC#1333-1336 God’s fidelity Rdg 2 – 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 CCC# 1396-1401 one bread, one body Gospel John 6:51-58 CCC# 1373-1381 Real Presence

1st Reading - Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14B-16A  As we have discussed, Deuteronomy is called the “Second Law”. Dt. is not new, but “a partial repetition, completion and explanation” of the Law given on Mt. Sinai.  It is thought to be the “book” found in the Temple that was used for the reform of Josiah.(2 Kings 22) Josiah reigned for 31 years (640-608 BC). This was before the Babylonian Captivity.  The Hebrew name for the book of Deuteronomy is Devarim, literally “words”. The book begins, “these are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan….”  The Etz Hayim offers an interesting comment on verse 2, “..to test you by affliction”. :”Was this to test their faith, because they could never be sure that the manna would appear the next day? Or to see if they would remain grateful to God even if they knew their food supply was assured?”  Our reading comes from the Torah portion Eikev. It is worth watching this portion of the “portion”.  Remembering is an essential part of the Hebrew scripture. Our reading tells us “do not forget’,  Our reading takes up at 14b..however 14a could be added for our benefit, “Beware, lest your heart grow haughty…”  So what does this have to do with the ? We do forget sometimes what the Lord has done, when we are tested or maybe we are just not paying attention. What God had done for the Israelites in the desert, Jesus does for us in the wilderness of our earthly existence- he gives us food to sustain us- himself. As real as the manna was to the wandering Hebrews in Deuteronomy, so real is the food we are given in the Eucharist. Really, real! Perhaps we have lived with the story too long. Our ancestors were experiencing the presence of God on a daily basis for the first time. If 1

they didn’t get it right every time, we can’t blame them. We, on the other hand, have learned the story from the beginning. Maybe that is why remember is so important. This Sunday try to remember your First Communion or maybe the first time you really believed that Jesus was really and truly present.

2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 10:16-17  Once again the Corinthian church, with all its flaws, is given not only strong warning but clarification regarding the reality of the sacrament.  Paul’s warning in 1 Cor 10 is against idolatry. He refers back to the ancestors, who “sat down to eat and rose up to revel” referring to the Golden Calf incident.  The Corinthians are not to “test Christ” as those who tested God in the desert.  Our reading falls right in the middle of the discussion about idolatry.  All of chapter 10 really addresses an attitude that is prevalent today, “What’s the big deal?”  As we read 1 Corinthian 10 we see that Paul clarifies that meat sacrificed to idols has not power, BUT.... the Corinthians cannot indulge in this meat and be true to what they say they believe.  In ancient times- meat sacrificed to idols may end up in the market place or on a friends table, what is the Christian to do? (10:27-30)  Paul explains that food sacrificed to idols that is revealed as such should not be eaten- not because there is any deeper reality to the sacrificed food, but the interpretation of the action of the Christian is open for interpretation.  So our reading today is surrounded by history and social witness.  So what does that have to do with the feast? As Catholics, we have a sacred trust in the Eucharist. Receiving “communion” is not just a symbolic gesture or a pious remembrance. Getting in line and receiving and saying amen means that we believe that Jesus is really and truly present in the Eucharist. It also says that we are in “communion” with the Holy and we believe all that the church believes and teaches. Going to Communion is a public witness of our belief. And that is what Paul is trying to get across to the Corinthians…their behavior at and outside the Eucharist is public witness of their communion with the church and with each other as the body of Christ.

Sequence for Corpus Christi- - Lauda Sion Salvatorem is a prescribed for the Roman Catholic of Corpus Christi. It was written by St. around 1264, at the request of Pope Urban IV for the new Mass of this Feast, along with , , , and , which are used in the Divine Office. The hymn tells of the institution of the Eucharist and clearly expresses the Catholic belief in . As with St. Thomas' other three Eucharistic hymns, the last few stanzas are often used alone, in this case, the Ecce Panis Angelorum.*

Gospel Reading – John 6:51-58 (42:46 –complete chapter 6)

 At the beginning of chapter 6 of John’s gospel Jesus performs the sign of the “Multiplication of the Loaves”. It is interesting that there is no concern about the fish or is there isn’t any mention of multiplying. Jesus “takes, thanks, and breaks”. After the people see this sign, Jesus withdrew, knowing that the folks would want to make him king.  Our reading is part of the “Bread of Life” discourse. The folks catch up with Jesus and then things really get serious. The people seem to be fine with Jesus, but the “Jews” began murmuring. 2

 This “murmuring” recalls the tradition found in the book of Numbers- the “murmuring” tradition. In Numbers as well, the people murmured against Moses, “We have no water, we have no food, we hate this manna…(Numbers 11)  They continue to murmur up to our reading (John 6:51-58).  Then the disciples take up the murmuring (vs.60ff) Peter in one of his finest moments says out loud what we have all thought at one time or another, “Lord, to whom shall we go?”  Consider your own Eucharistic spirituality/theology. What is your experience of the Eucharist either Mass or in personal prayer. What is your experience of “Lord, to whom can we go?”

*Translation of the Lauda Sion

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