Corpus Christi Sunday

Our readings for Corpus Christi Sunday are:

1. Deuteronomy 8: 2-3, 14b-16a
2. Psalms 147: 12-13, 14-15, 19-20
3. 1 Corinthians 10: 16-17
4. John 6: 51-58

• Testimony time
• In Protestant circles, it's common to invite participants to offer testimony, story telling if you will, of how God has worked in their lives.  This sharing of stories helps build the faith of the gathered assembly, and helps them see how God works in His people's lives.
• In the Catholic community, we don't do much of that, maybe we should.  If someone asked you what evidence you have for God in your life, what would you tell them?
• What sort of a setting would be ideal for that sort of sharing?
• What might happen to us as a community if we did that sort of faith sharing with each other more often?

• Manna in the desert
• What do you really need in life to be happy?
• Of those things that you just listed, which of them are purely material, and which are spiritual in nature?
• Of those things that you just listed, which do you think God ultimately provides you with, versus what do you think that you got for yourself?
• Which are you the most grateful for?
• Why? 

• One bread, one body
• When you think of being in solidarity with someone, what does that mean?
• Who are you in solidarity with?
• What obligations do you feel that brings with it?
• Who do you think Jesus feels a solidarity towards?
• How does Eucharist draw us into solidarity with those that Jesus is in solidarity with?
• Or - Ecumenism can be frightening
• Jim O'Neill once said that, when he went up to Communion, he would listen to the Eucharistic minster hold up the consecrated host and say "the body of Christ" to which Jim would respond "yes we are".
• Just what, then, are we consuming at Eucharist?
• How far does that "body of Christ" extend in time, how far around the globe?
• How should that change us, our hearts, towards the rest of humanity sharing in that same feast?
• How can we make that reality more profound, more immanent, more real in our lives?

• Sacrament of initiation
• Thoughtful sacramental theologians worry that we have surrounded first Holy Communion with so much pomp and circumstance that we obscure the unnerving fact that every celebration of Eucharist is a sacrament of initiation, a stepping into something new and creative.
• What has Eucharist initiated you into lately?
• Is Eucharist a string of events, a way of life, or a journey?
• How can we become more of a Eucharistic people?
• Or - Table prayer, revealed for what it is
• John Flaherty has a vision that I've grown to appreciate more and more over the years: the family table and the Eucharistic table reveal and illuminate each other.
• What are some of the stories that have been shared around your table recently?
• How have those stories transformed the lives of the teller, the listeners?
• How has your table talk at home prepared you for Eucharist?
• How has Eucharist prepared you for being a better family?

Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. What am I truly grateful to God for?
2. Do I truly believe that God will provide abundance in my life?
3. How is Eucharist drawing me closer to the Body of Christ?
4. How can I make my home life more sacramental?

Ang Katawan

When we gather in our homes
through our prayers and our meals,
we are fed and nourished together,
our families, broken and blessed.

Dear Jesus, thank you for this food
Especially the apple pie that I smell ...
Oh, and everything else as well,
I'm sure that it's all good too.  Amen

"Robbie, that's the last time you say grace"
"But, it's about what we're thankful for, right?"
"Well, yeah, but you can't get by just on desert."
"I'm willing to take that risk, if anyone would let me."

"Before you two get going on that discussion,
Please pass the mac 'n cheese.  I hear it calling me."
"I'd love to, but my bursitis is kicking my butt"
"No problem, here, I'll pass it around behind you."

"Are you still in therapy for that?"
"Yeah, but they tell me that my insurance
Is only going to pay for another four weeks.
I sure hope this is over and done by then."

In the household of the Lord,
where we come to share the meal,
we are fed the words of our Savior,
one family, strengthened and healed.

"George, I heard from Sara today after Mass
That Marge Johnson is in the hospital,
And Fred is home alone.  What should we do?"
"Well, let me drop by tomorrow and see what Fred needs."

"Let me send some of that leftover mac 'n cheese with you.
If Fred doesn't need it right away, he can freeze it.
I'll check in on Sara and see how she's doing."
"Maybe Robbie will come along with me."

Behold the Body of Christ,
Jesus our Savior and Life!
Rejoice O people of God!
We are the Body of Christ!

Verses liberally borrowed from Ang Katawan ni Kristo - Manalo, CSP, Ricky; de Leon, Pia

Shalom!