Fr. Jorge Miró shares with Exaudi readers his commentary on the Gospel of this Sunday, June 22, 2025, entitled  “They all ate and were satisfied. ”

***

Today, we celebrate the solemnity of Corpus Christi, a solemn and public feast of the Eucharist, the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ.

The Eucharist reminds us that the Lord is with us, present in our lives. It also reminds us that we are not called to live our faith in a solitary, individualistic way. Created in the image and likeness of God, we are created for communion, for relationship, and self-giving:  the Lord calls us to live our faith in his body, which is the Church: “Give them something to eat…  Do this in memory of me.”  The Eucharist is an encounter with the Lord, with the Bridegroom. A personal encounter, but in community.

The Eucharist reminds us that we need Jesus Christ:  I am the living bread which came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.  Without Him, we have no life. We need to eat the Bread of the Word and the Bread of the Eucharist.

The Eucharist is the celebration of the Paschal Mystery:  Do this in memory of me.  It is receiving a body given, and a Blood shed for fidelity to the will of the Father and for love of humanity. For love of you.

It’s difficult to participate in the Eucharist when our lives are closed to God’s will, and we don’t live dedicated to others, beginning with living our own vocation.  Attending is one thing; participating is another.

Participating in the Eucharist is not simply spending a little time in Church.  Participating in the Eucharist is living united to Jesus Christ in a personal, intimate, and profound way: living in his body, which is the Church; listening to and welcoming his Word; participating in his sacrifice of love, giving one’s life for one’s brothers and sisters; obedient to the Father’s will and loving as Christ loved us, living with his same sentiments and attitudes. It is taking up one’s cross each day and following him wherever he wants to lead us, allowing ourselves  to be filled with his Spirit.

The feast of Corpus Christi invites us to worship.  True worship of God, then, is to give oneself to God and to humanity ; it is love.  Love for God, which is expressed in living according to God’s will.  Love for one’s brothers and sisters, which is expressed in mercy. It is proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ over your life; letting Him lead your life wherever He wants to lead it.

With the Corpus Christi Procession, the Lord himself visits our towns, our streets. And he blesses us. He speaks well of us. He gives us a word of encouragement and hope. Likewise, he tells us:  Do not be afraid… I am with you always… Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened…

Take heart!  Let the Lord find you, He comes to meet you.  No one loves you like He does!