The Convivium Singers sing ‘The Real Presence’ by Margaret Rizza. On this feast day, take a moment to recall any special or significant encounters you have had during the Eucharist... how have you met with Christ in this way?  

 

(Lyrics currently unavailable) 

Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. 

 

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 

Today is the feast of Corpus Christi, when the Church celebrates Jesus’ gift to us of the Eucharist. Christian traditions differ in their understanding of what this signifies, but all Christians hold to the importance of recognising him in the breaking of bread. What does this recognition signify to you? 

 

At the Last Supper Jesus tells his disciples to break bread in memory of him, but in John’s Gospel he also tells them to wash one another’s feet in imitation of his own gesture to them. How do the breaking of bread and washing of feet come together in your experience? 

 

We listen to the reading repeated and notice what stands out for us or remains in our heart and imagination.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 

 

The word Eucharist means thanksgiving. If we lived every experience of thankfulness as a ‘Eucharistic’ moment, what difference would that make to us? Spend some time thinking of what you are particularly thankful for and take the opportunity to share what is in your mind and heart with God. 

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.  

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be 

World without end 

Amen