Today we celebrate the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – a feast that many of us remember as Corpus Christi. The gospel for this Sunday reminds us of the holistic approach that Jesus took with his followers: he spoke to the crowds, he healed the sick, he prayed in blessing over the food, he fed everyone. Jesus responded to the physical needs of people while recognizing that it was equally important to respond to the less obvious needs that all have, psychological and spiritual.
No doubt, not all who were present, listening to Jesus, were completely sold on his message; perhaps there were some skeptics among the crowds that day. People of Jesus’ day would have been curious, as we would be, to see a new preacher and hear his message. Does his message make sense? Does it resonate with me? When it came time to have the people sit down and receive the blessed food I doubt that those who were not completely sold on Jesus chose to leave before the meal. Did Jesus qualify who might receive it? He didn’t tell the apostles, “Give it only to those who have come to believe in my message, in me.” He shared with all. He was not stingy with his grace. Nor should I be.
Sister Danielle Jacob, CSFN
