Thought for the Week Thought for the Week is based on one of the day’s lectionary readings. For the Bible online, go to: http://bible.oremus.org/ Choose your version (we use NRSV in church) Copy and paste the reference into the search box and the passage will be displayed. Wednesday 2 June Luke 9.11-17 Tomorrow is the feast of Corpus Christi, the body of Christ, which falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. It is celebrated in the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches and dates back to the 13th century. Many countries in the world observe a holiday on Corpus Christi and much festivity takes place with colourful processions through the streets. The consecrated host is carried around with great dignity and awe in a monstrance – a container designed to safely display something of great value. In the UK this generally takes place within or immediately around a church. The idea of this festival seems to have originated with Juliana of Liege, from Belgium, a nun who petitioned for a special feast to celebrate the Eucharist outside the season of Lent. The institution of the Eucharist was already recognised on Maundy Thursday as it is now, but somewhat overshadowed that day by other aspects of the Passion of Christ; the footwashing, the agony in the Garden. Also of course, no festivities would be allowed during Lent. The Corpus Christi feast focussed on the Eucharist alone; and outside of Lent, everyone could ‘go to town’ with the celebrations, a great knees up; a release of energy and joy after the privations of Lent. Juliana was a wise woman, it seems; the idea was accepted and spread rapidly across Europe and elsewhere. It was abolished during the Reformation but restored later. Today in the UK the festival may be called ‘Thanksgiving for Holy Communion’. Giving thanks; having times of celebration; getting out and enjoying ourselves together. The great religious festivals have provided opportunities for this over the ages, in the times when the only holidays were Holy Days. The religious festivals scattered through the year give us times to look forward to; and perhaps it makes sense that they are mostly in the colder darker months while the summer is known as ‘ordinary time’. These days there are plenty of secular occasions as well, and holidays are more detached from religious festivals, but in both cases, a human need is being supplied; recognising our need for times of relaxation, fun and in a sense, play. If that sounds inappropriate to you in connection with the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, I’m not sure it should; just as it is fine to enjoy church. I’ll bet there was much laughter and joy in the crowd fed by Jesus on the hillside as a free meal came their way; food is nearly always part of a religious festival and although the consecrated host does not do much to nourish our bodies it does a great deal to nourish our spirits. Many of us are hoping for a holiday away this summer; a break for relaxation when we hope to leave our daily worries and pressures behind, perhaps enjoy some warmer weather, get away from the familiar surroundings of home; we feel the need after the last year and more of pandemic and after the cold wet month of May which has been so depressing. I hope you will have a chance to get that relaxing break from routine, and chance to simply spend time doing what you enjoy or being with those you love. Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress. Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low; that we may rejoice in your comfort, knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. .