Corpus Christi

Our readings for Corpus Christi Sunday are:

1. Genesis 14: 18-20
   
2. Psalms 110: 1, 2, 3, 4
   
3. 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26
   
4. Luke 9: 11b-17
   

• Affirmation
  
• Most of us go through life wondering if we "doing it right".  In our modern way, we look for omens of one sort or another, be they approval from our boss, customers, colleagues, friends, family, ... to help us tell whether we are on the right track.  None of us wants to be barking up the wrong tree in life.
• What does it really mean to be "doing the right thing"?
• What do you feel are God's obligations towards you when you do the right thing?  Are you entitled to affirmation of any sort, at the very least a warm feeling?
• What can you conclude when there is no external sign that you're doing the right thing?
• Do you have the faith to go on anyway?
  

• Priests and kings
  
• Jesus has many names - prince of peace, lamb of God, redeemer, ...  Two of those names are priest and king.
• Here in the US, the functions of king are a little hard to relate to.  What does it mean to yo to say that Jesus is King of the Universe?
• What would you say his duties are in that capacity?
  
• Think as broadly as you can.  What does a priest do?
• How is Jesus still fulfilling that role today, in your life?
• Do you have any share in those duties of king and priest?
  

• Proclaiming versus reading
  
• Words can be treacherous,  slippery.  It is high praise to say of someone that they always speak with authenticity, that they are always sincere.  Our actions are even closer to who we are, where we live.  We are a living Gospel.
• If someone were to ask a close family member or close friend of yours "what have you learned about God from watching <your name here> live their life" what would they say?
• What would you want them to say?
• How can you make that happen?
  

• Living abundance
  
• Most of us are trained to live a "life raft" economy.  There are only so many resources to go around on the life raft, and we need to make those last as long as possible because once they are gone, we perish.  God, for his part, operates from a paradigm of abundance.
• We've all heard the phrase "God will provide" used in various circumstances.  What does that mean to you?
• We've also heard the phrase "God helps those who help themselves" which seems much more practical.  What do you think that means?
• Matthew 6: 19-24 presents an other worldly attitude towards our possessions and how to treat them.  Does giving yourself away seem like a sustainable strategy?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation
  

1. Why do I crave affirmation?
2. How is God king and priest in my life, and through me, in the lives of others?
   
3. How can I proclaim the Gospel better in my life?
4. Where is God calling me to greater generosity?
   

Shalom!