Three Words for Corpus Christi (Sunday homily)

 Pope Francis often created a homily 

around three words from the readings; 

that’s what I am going to do today.

The three words are “Remember,” “Participation” and “True.”

Let’s start with Moses telling God’s People to “remember.” 

“Remember how God directed your journey,” he said.

That was the point of the Passover, with the sacrificed lamb: 

to remember God’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

But for Moses and the people, 

that remembering didn’t just involve a thought process. 

By sharing the sacrificial meal together, 

they went back in time in a sense, truly reliving the saving events.

And that is what happens in Holy Mass. 

You and I are, in a real sense, present at Calvary.

Present at the empty tomb. 

Present at the eternal supper of the Lamb.

Even though those are events either in the past, or ahead of us,

Nevertheless, God makes all these things present:

That’s what “remembering” means to God;

Because, realize, there is no past or future for God;

He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Now let’s add in St. Paul’s word: “participation.”

A lot of people misunderstand what it means to “participate” in Mass.

While it’s good to give the responses, or to sing, 

or perhaps to help as a reader or usher 

or some other role at Mass,

these are not the primary way you or I “participate” in Mass.

So, someone might say, the Mass is in Spanish, so I can’t participate.

I can’t see, or I can’t hear, so I can’t participate.

These are legitimate concerns, but stop and think:

Do we really mean to say that folks with bad eyesight, 

or bad hearing, are unable to “participate”? 

That can’t be the right answer.

No, even if you don’t understand the language, you still participate.

The fundamental way we participate is by our intention:

We join our prayers and faith with those of God’s People, 

and above all, with Jesus himself, who is the true priest,

who really is the one offering the Mass.

Sometimes people won’t bring their children to Mass, saying, 

“Oh, they’re too young to get anything out of it.”

My answer is: What about grace? They get grace! Isn’t that the key?

We don’t come to Mass to get a bulletin or a homily or — 

sorry to shock you — even to get Holy Communion.

You and I are drawn here to be united with Jesus in his suffering, death, and resurrection. 

That’s the heart of what we come to “do” and what we come to “get.”

Of course, Holy Communion is the most profound gift — 

the summit of that union.

But if we reduce participation in the Mass to doing certain things, 

or to a certain level of understanding, 

or even simply to receiving Communion, 

we are missing the deeper reality.

The central reason we are here is because Jesus chooses — 

in the Mass — to offer himself in the fullest possible way. 

Yes, most of the Apostles weren’t at the Cross — only John was — 

but they should have been! Mary was there!

And let me explain that the reason 

some people shouldn’t receive the Eucharist is not about “worthiness” – 

because no one is ever worthy – but about “readiness.”

Not everyone is ready for that most intimate form of participation.

Some are too young – First Communion comes usually in second grade.

Some are wrestling with mortal sins and need confession.

Still others haven’t decided what they believe;

Or whether they really want to commit themselves.

Because we all agree that Holy Communion is supremely important,

Then, being ready in all these ways seems obvious.

Now let’s look at the third word, from the Gospel: “True.”

Jesus – who is the Truth – tells us, 

“My Body is true food. My blood is true drink.”

Through history, divisions have sadly arisen among Christians, 

As a result, we don’t all share the same understanding.

We Catholics must bear witness to what Jesus himself says:

Holy Communion isn’t bread and wine, it isn’t merely a symbol.

The Mass truly is a sacrifice, of Jesus’ true Body and Blood.

You and I cannot be smug or superior.

Yet: this Gift of the True Sacrifice and True Presence is here!

Ask the Holy Spirit for words of grace and love, to tell others!

Invite people to come and pray in our church.

Explain: that’s the altar; that’s the tabernacle. 

Welcome people to discover Jesus in our midst.