Corpus Christi

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) is normally a joyful celebration for Catholic Christians. It’s a time to reaffirm our belief that the bread and wine of the Eucharist are the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. They are his Real Presence in the heart of the Church.

But last year, and again this year, pandemic restrictions have kept us from celebrating this great feast. By law there can be no public Masses. No festive processions. And no devotions such as Benediction to honour Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

Many Catholics try to compensate by watching live-streamed Masses. Their intentions are good, but the Eucharist isn’t a spectator sport. We are called to active participation in company with our fellow parishioners, active participation which culminates in eating the Bread of Christ’s Body and drinking the Wine of his Blood. Anything less is second best.

Over the past few weekends, I have been impressed by the growing number of parishioners who come to receive Holy Communion on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings. Their faith is admirable. But again, the Eucharist is meant to be an act of community praise and worship, a royal banquet, not some sort of cafeteria take-out service. Even with good intentions, we are being short-changed.

We read in the Letter to the Romans …. All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Perhaps this time of Eucharistic deprivation is a blessing in disguise. It reminds us not to take Mass and our communion with Jesus for granted and stirs up within us a hunger for Jesus, the Bread of Life. It highlights how empty and meaningless life can be without a living connection to Jesus in the Sacrament of His Body and Blood.

Msgr. Paul Zimmer
Pastor, St Clement Catholic Church, Etobicoke