BLESSED ARE THE INVITED TO THE BANQUET OF THE LORD

SOLEMNITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI - Mark 14:12-16,22-26

The solemnity of Corpus Christi is a special celebration of the Eucharist, which comes after the solemnity of the Holy Trinity in order to affirm what we celebrate every Sunday. There is always the danger of getting used to what we do. 

The readings lead us to reflect on certain aspects of the Eucharist which we must pay attention to.

• It is the sacrifice of the New Covenant. In the first reading, from the book of Exodus, we hear how Moses offered sacrifices by which the covenant was sealed and ratified. Part of the blood was “cast on the altar” (Ex 24:6) and the other part he “cast it towards the people”, saying: “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” (Ex 24:8). In the Last Supper, after giving the cup for his disciples to drink, Jesus said: “This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many. I tell you solemnly, I shall not drink any more wine until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God” (Mk 14:24). In the Eucharist, we offer the sacrifice of the New Covenant and we become part of that Covenant, sealed and ratified with the blood of Jesus Christ.
• Jesus is at the same time the High Priest and the perfect sacrifice. The letter to the Hebrews makes that very clear. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the holy of holies taking with him the blood of the sacrifices. Jesus “entered the sanctuary once and for all”, taking with him his own blood, “having won an eternal redemption for us” (Hb 9:12). Jesus’ sacrifice is the perfect sacrifice, acceptable to God. In the Last Supper, Jesus himself interpreted his own death in that manner. Aware of what was going to happen to him, Jesus remained faithful to end and offered his life in total and loving surrender to the will of the Father. Jesus’ death came about as a result of two factors: a) human wickedness that condemned to death the innocent; b) and Jesus’ decision to be faithful to his mission, no matter what the consequences might be. Jesus is the priest who offers the only acceptable sacrifice. At the same time, he is the victim, the sacrifice being offered.
• Jesus offered himself in sacrifice for us. The letter to Hebrews and the gospel make it clear: his blood is “poured out for many”. It is by his death on the cross that we are reconciled with God and the gates of heaven are open for us.
• The solemnity of Corpus Christi is a proclamation of our faith: we accept Jesus’ words for what they say. The bread is the body of Christ and the cup of wine is the cup of his blood, which he offers to us as the bread of life (Jn 6:35). We are called to seat at Jesus’ table and be served by him the food of heaven. We are called to have a share in the banquet he prepared for us. And the invitation is addressed to us: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev 19:9).

Let us celebrate with thanksgiving the banquet of the Lord.