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THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (CORPUS CHRISTI) — YEAR C

1st Reading     Gen. 14:18-20

Resp. Psalm    Ps. 110:1.2.3,4 (R. 4cd)

2nd Reading    1 Cor. 11: 23-26

Gospel              Luke 9: 11b-17

FEED LIKE JESUS

Dear Friends, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). We celebrate the "source and summit" of our Christian lives, the Holy Eucharist. Consequently, we celebrate the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist as he is present under the Eucharistic species (SC, 7) through the words of consecration spoken by the Priest. By extension, I believe we can also underscore the celebration of unity of the Church, the mystical body of Christ, brought to reality by the Eucharist. The readings of this Sunday are apt in reminding us and teaching us about the Eucharist and the issue of feeding.

The first reading from Genesis 14:18-20 is the last event of Chapter 14,and narrates the return of Abram from his defeat of mighty Chedorlaomer and the forces of the Kings of the East and the return of Lot and all of his possessions and the event of the encounter between Melchizedek and Abram. It is worth noting that, Genesis 14 is the account of the first war that ever we read in Scripture.

All that we know about Melchizedek is found in Gen. 14:18-20 and Heb. 7. In our first reading, we are told that he is a King (MELEK) and a Priest (KOHEN). He is a king in two ways, I believe. First, deriving from his name, he is a MALKIY-TSEDEQ (King of Righteousness). He is Righteous, an epitome of righteousness and justice. Secondly, he is the king of Salem. Salem is a possible shortened version of Jerusalem (Ps. 76:2) and is related to  SHALOM, the Hebrew word for Peace (Heb. 7:2). He is king of righteousness and Peace. If you like, he is that righteous king who gives Peace.

Melchizedek is also a Priest of God Most High. As a Priest, he performed two priestly functions. First, "he brought out bread and wine" (Gen. 14:18). Secondly,  "he blessed Abram" (v. 18). 

The mention of Bread and Wine (LECHEM and YAYIN) brings out the Eucharistic scene. It is a scene of feeding, of nourishment after the battles of life. This resonates well with the Gospel (Luke 9: 11b- 17) which narrates the miraculous feeding of the five thousand men with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Here Jesus, having taught the crowds and healed those who needed to be cured, fed them. 

Like Melchizedek who provided bread and wine to Abram on his return from battle, Christ provided food for the crowds among whom he restored some by healing them. Christ, continues to give us his whole self, his Body and Blood as nourishment for the journey. This reminds us of God's Providence and care. He sustains us with himself. 

As we celebrate today's Solemnity, let us be continually reminded of God's unfailing love for us, of Christ's provision of himself as food and as rest. May we be helped also to give due reverence for Christ's Body (the Holy Eucharist) and may it never be said of us that we received him unprepared. Additionally, we can be Melchizedeks to others who need the basic necessities of life to survive for "whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me [Christ]" (Matt. 25:40)

Pax et Bonum

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