Corpus Christi Solemnity (June 11)
Today, the Holy Catholic Church in Nigeria celebrates the Solemnity of the Corpus Christi (The Body and Blood of Christ).
This is also known as the Holy Eucharist. The catechism of the Catholic Church teaches the faithful that the Eucharist is the source and summit of Ecclesial Life. From the time of the apostles, all part of the Catholic liturgy have changed but the part that remains unchanged is the celebration of the Eucharist because of how the church is bound to the command of Christ on the night before his passion. Luke 22:19-20
And taking bread, he gave thanks and broke it and gave it to them, saying: “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this as a commemoration of me.” Similarly also, he took the chalice, after he had eaten the meal, saying: “This chalice is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.
This clearly helps us understand that the substance of the Holy Eucharist has not changed and cannot change.
The Catholic liturgy is directed towards the reverence of the Holy Eucharist. How the Eucharist is formed is only through the words of the Priest on the altar through the act of transubstantiation, the host and wine turns into the body and blood of Christ. "We carry out this command of the Lord by celebrating the memorial of his sacrifice. In so doing, we offer to the Father what he has himself given us: the gifts of his creation, bread and wine which, by the power of the Holy Spirit and by the words of Christ, have become the body and blood of Christ. Christ is thus really and mysteriously made present." (CCC 1357)
Through reception of the body and blood of christ we form a communion with him, which forgives our venial sins, and preserves us from grave sins.
The Holy Eucharist is the source of salvation to all for Christ said in the gospel of John 6:51-52, 54-55
Jesus said to the Jews:
I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.’‘I tell you most solemnly,
if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you will not have life in you. Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day.
Having passed from this world to the Father, Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge of glory with him. Participation in the Holy Sacrifice identifies us with his Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life, and unites us even now to the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints.
I end with this popular Eucharistic prayer
“Oh Sacrament Most Holy, Oh Sacrament Divine.
All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine".