Branching-Out

Words

Posted by Sharon Krause on Aug 9, 2021 6:00:00 AM

   Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you:

   by the same Spirit graciously make holy

   these gifts we have brought to you for consecration,

   that they may become the Body and Blood

   of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ,

   at whose command we celebrate these mysteries.

When I hear the priest say this prayer at Mass, I see a touch of irony in the word “command.” At the Last Supper, after Jesus changed the bread and wine into his Body and Blood, he told the apostles, Do this in memory of me.” That was the command. To me, that is like saying, “Win the top prize,” or, “Realize your best possible dream,” or, “Enjoy complete health and happiness.”

When I consider the word “command,” I think of an order—as in military service—or a strict rule I should follow. However, this “command” Jesus gave about repeating his action in remembrance of him, to me, has a different connotation. It is like being blessed and given life-saving sustenance with what outwardly appear to be simple bread and wine. How grateful we should all be for such a command.

By doing what Jesus did at the Last Supper, we are fed the very flesh and blood of our Savior. And he did not make it complicated. He turned a Jewish observance of Passover with a dozen guests into a feast that has been celebrated almost every day of the year by countless followers! How joyful we should be to have that command from Jesus!

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Topics: celebration of the Eucharist, Last Supper, body and blood of Christ, bread of life, RENEW International, Sharon Krause, Holy Communion

'Hear the Word!' by Bill Ayres: The Body and Blood of Christ

Posted by Bill Ayres on Jun 5, 2021 6:00:00 AM

A reading from the book of Exodus 

(Chapter 24:3-8)

“When Moses came to the people and related all the words and ordinances of the Lord, they all answered with one voice, ‘We will do everything that the Lord has told us.’ Moses then wrote down all the words of the Lord, and rising early the next day, he erected at the foot of the mountain an altar and twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Animal sacrifice was common among ancient religions, including Judaism. As strange as it seems to us, it was a major step away from human sacrifice which some of Israel’s neighbors practiced. The sprinkling of the blood of animals was a sign of Israel’s fidelity to the Covenant and so was called the “blood of the covenant.” It was also seen as a cleansing and an act of forgiveness from God to his people.

Responsorial Psalm

(Psalm 116)

“I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.” We certainly call upon the name of the Lord, usually in time of need, but how about in thanksgiving for all God gives us?

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Topics: Eucharist, Reflections on the coming Sunday's Gospel, body and blood of Christ, Holy Eucharist, RENEW International, solemnity of the most holy body and blood of chris, New Covenant

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