Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi:

On the feast of Corpus Christi we celebrate the presence of Christ in our world today. In particular we celebrate his presence in the body and blood we share at the Eucharist.

Our Eucharist is a celebration of thanksgiving for what Jesus has done. Lest we forget what he has done, we assemble to hold that memory sacred. We keep the memory fresh. We remember the suffering passion and death. We recall Jesus' willingness to overcome sin. In receiving the body and blood of Christ we become his body in our world.

We are Loved

We are Loved

God in today’s Gospel is described to us as one that is very close, as one that loves the world so deeply that he was willing to give everything to it. It is hard to comprehend these statements. Why would someone love in such a way? Why would someone sacrifice in such a way? John’s Gospel today tells us that it is because we are loved so deeply and so that we would come to know this love which brings life. It is not a one-off event; it is continuous and ongoing in each of our lives. Neither is it to make us feel guilty; we are told that this outpouring of God’s love is not to condemn us in any way. This giving from the Father is so that we might be free from our own brokenness, that we might know how infinitely loved we are and so live a life that is full and everlasting. God rescues us from our own brokenness and offers a life that is a fuller and deeper experience.

Trinity Sunday invites us to reflect on the impossible; on the utterly mysterious. Yet we can know something of what it means to experience God’s love in our lives; to have a deep relationship with Jesus Christ and to feel God’s Spirit dwelling within ourselves. We can experience that same Spirit in each person that we meet, that Spirit of God indwelling in all of creation. The Trinity speaks to us of relationship, community, of fully giving and receiving.

Be A Sign of Contradiction

Be A Sign of Contradiction

The tall Sixth Year student stood at the exit door during the Ascension Mass in a school. Throughout, she examined her fingernails, folded the hymn sheet and took to a serious perusal of her phone (secretly!). An adult delicately suggested that Ascension didn’t mean much to her. ‘Why should we celebrate his going away,’ she said, ‘he hasn’t come here yet.’ That brought everyone ‘back to earth.’

Think about it. In saying farewell to loved ones in death, the sadness is usually tinged with thankfulness for having known them. Their physical presence made a difference; their memory inspires us still. Is this true of the way we honour Jesus? Is he just a historical figure, or a living power? Has he ‘come here yet?’ Do our lives betray that we know him? Or is he a prisoner in the church, limited to the time we give in worship and prayer?

Our forebears and we in turn, built and supported schools, hospitals, churches, and presbyteries. In most we pay someone else to do the job.

The danger is that we leave out the essentials. No one can be a substitute for the job that God has called you to do. You are irreplaceable. So, be a sign of contradiction today, not a contradiction of the sign.