Corpus Christi June 6-7 2026 St John's

Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. New American Bible, Revised Edition (Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011), Jn 6:53.

On this, the annual Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi (which is Body of Christ in Latin), we have the opportunity to reflect on the truth of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist - His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life (cf. CIC 897). In other words, the Lord wants us to be fully alive as His disciples, and He makes this possible by reception of His very self in Holy Communion!

Before receiving Holy Communion, we must make an honest examination of conscience so as to ensure we are properly disposed to receive the Holy Eucharist. Our being fully alive in Christ cannot occur if we are not properly disposed, or prepared, to receive Him.

St. Paul explains in his first Letter to the Corinthians:

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” cf. Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition (Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2019), 350.

If we are conscious of any mortal sin, we must receive absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving Holy Communion, because when mortal sin occurs, the person cuts himself or herself off from communion with the Lord, and is no longer in what we call the “state of grace.” Confession restores it.

We are also to observe the one hour Eucharistic fast, meaning no food or drink, except water and medicine, for at least one hour prior to receiving Holy Communion. This underscores the significance of the Eucharist. This does not apply when one is ill, in the hospital, in the nursing home.

In this way, then, we avail ourselves to the many fruits (graces) from reception of the Eucharist.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains these fruits in numbers 1391-1401. There one can find a more detailed explanation. For this homily, I will offer a summarized account.

Augments our union with Jesus

Preserves, increases, and renews the life of grace received at Baptism.

Separates us from sin (i.e. venial sins)

Strengthens charity as we live out our day to day life

Preserves us from future mortal sins

Renews, strengthens, and deepens communion as the Church, the Lord’s Mystical Body

Commits us to the poor

You have tasted the Blood of the Lord, yet you do not recognize your brother, … You dishonor this table when you do not judge worthy of sharing your food someone judged worthy to take part in this meal.… God freed you from all your sins and invited you here, but you have not become more merciful.

St John Chrysostom; cf. Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition (Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2019), 353.

8. Asks the Lord for Christian unity with our separated brethren (Protestants)

a. Intercommunion not possible (explain)