Jun 7 — Feast of Corpus Christi
The Feast of Corpus Christi (Latin for ‘Body of Christ’) is a Catholic liturgical solemnity celebrating the real presence of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in the elements of the Eucharist — known as transubstantiation. Two months earlier, the Eucharist is observed on Maundy Thursday in a sombre atmosphere leading to Good Friday. The liturgy on that day also commemorates Christ’s washing of the disciples’ feet, the institution of the priesthood and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. The feast of Corpus Christi was established to create a feast focused solely on the Holy Eucharist, emphasizing the joy of the Eucharist being the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
The feast is liturgically celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday or, “where the Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is not a holy day of obligation, it is assigned to the Sunday after the Most Holy Trinity as its proper day”. In the liturgical reforms of 1969, under Pope Paul VI, the bishops of each nation have the option to transfer it to the following Sunday.
At the end of Holy Mass, there is often a procession of the Blessed Sacrament, generally displayed in a monstrance. The procession is followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A notable Eucharistic procession is that presided over by the Pope each year in Rome, where it begins at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran and passes to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where it concludes with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
The celebration of the feast was suppressed in Protestant churches during the Reformation, because they do not hold to the teachings of transubstantiation. Depending on the denomination, Protestant churches instead believe in differing views concerning the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, or that Christ is symbolically or metaphorically part of the eucharist. Today, most Protestant denominations do not recognize the feast. The Church of England abolished it in 1548 as the English Reformation progressed, but later reintroduced it.
Deu 8:2-3,14-16
1 Cor 10:16-17
Jn 6:51-58
…we form a single body because we all have a share in this one loaf.
This past week, I woke up to the news that an old friend of mine (we had played violin together in the then Singapore National Schools Orchestra during the late 1970s) had passed away from cancer. Though we had not been in touch since I put down my violin during my pre-teens, I had followed his musical career as co-founder of the Tang Quartet and as a violist in the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
I fondly recall the two of us playing around as young kids during practices and rehearsals, sharing the stage as first and second chairs in the second violin section. It was indeed a privilege to have been a very small part of an orchestra helmed by (as I found out much later) a few extremely well-known musicians and music teachers.
Music has always been my anchor in my faith journey. And music has opened the doors for me to be part of a few interesting communities. It is a shared passion that brings many together and, depending on one’s perspective, can also cause differences of opinion – in some cases, even be divisive.
Over the years, as I have appreciated the many times music has enriched my journeys through the various retreats I have served in and, more recently, in the masses that my choir participates in, I have never failed to notice the effect it has on those around us. Whether it is a fellow musician/vocalist, or even a young child of 3 or 4, the passion and joy that we exude creates a bond that moves/excites others.
Brothers and sisters, today, we will celebrate with processions and 24-hour vigils across our dioceses and communities. The blessed sacrament will be carried and processed to and from places of worship, chapels and cathedrals. Amid all this pomp and fanfare, I invite all of us to reflect on how God has brought us to a particular community or group of people who share the same passions as we do. Take a look back on that first call, and the journey of acceptance (remember, it is two-way). What is it that brings us together, that unites us and then invites us to partake in a shared meal – one that is offered up by none other than Christ himself.
Jesus Christ offers His body and His blood – and for us Catholics, it is NOT symbolic – we believe that it IS the Lamb of God who we partake of when we receive the bread and wine. This is a shared belief among those of us who struggle daily to share openly and honestly within our own communities. We who allow the slightest of remarks to wound us and cause strange eye movements at others. We who let frustration and resentment get the better of us and who refuse to ‘sit at the same table’ with others over a meal (a process many newly-weds have to go through). And yet, each week at Mass, we go forward together to share in a meal so freely provided by our Lord.
Indeed, we partake from the same loaf, of the same loaf – the body of Christ. Today, as we receive Jesus in this most humble form, let us remember and reflect on why He does this for all of us.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, You gave us the Holy Eucharist as a memorial of Your infinite love. On this Solemnity of Corpus Christi, we thank You for Your Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
Increase our faith, and help us to adore You with deep reverence. May the Bread of Life we receive nourish our souls and bring healing to our lives. As we partake in this sacred feast, unite us as one body, and empower us to bring Your light, love, and service to the world.
We venerate Your sacred Body and Blood, and pray that we may always enjoy the fruits of Your Redemption. Amen.
Thanksgiving: We thank you, Lord, for the gift of Jesus Christ, your Son.
OXYGEN 
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