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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, June 14, 2009
By Jeff Hedglen
Catholic News Service
June 14, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Cycle B Readings:
1) Exodus 24:3-8
Psalm 116:12-13, 15-18
2) Hebrews 9:11-15
Gospel: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
When I think of personal sacrifice I am always reminded of something my mother did for me. One day when I was 19 and out of money and gas, my mother gave me $20. At the time, it did not seem like such a big deal. Later, I learned that it was her last $20 and she had been saving it for cigarettes.
This was no small sacrifice for her, as she had been smoking since she was a teenager. Years later she ended up quitting, but at the time, giving up her cigarette money was demonstrative of what she was willing to do for her children.
In my coursework for a degree in theology, I learned this definition of love: To want good for another and be willing to do what it takes to make that good happen. This is exactly how it was with my mother. She was willing to do whatever it took to make sure her children had what she could give them.
This weekend's readings are all about sacrifice -- not just regular sacrifice, but total giving, a kind of sacrifice that ends in the shedding of blood. The Old Testament reading outlines the Mosaic Covenant regulation for sacrificing an animal, and the New Testament readings reveal the New Covenant in which Jesus is the lamb that is slain. These passages help us enter into the commemoration of a great feast day, Corpus Christi, when we celebrate the ultimate sacrifice, the total self-giving of Jesus.
The sacrifice of the body and blood of Jesus is ever present to us at Mass; it is the center point of our faith and the doorway to heaven.
In this way the heavenly Father defines love. He wants the good for us (eternity with him) so much that he does whatever it takes (sacrificing his Son) so we can have that good. The Corpus Christi (body of Christ) is an ever-present reminder of the love God has for us. This is made even more special in that we not only receive this truth in our mind and hearts, but the body of Christ enters our body, his sacrificed body saving ours.
QUESTIONS:
In what ways have you seen someone want good for another person and do what it takes to make it happen? What does receiving the body and blood of Jesus mean for you?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, 'Take it; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, 'This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many'" (Matthew 14:22-24).
END
Copyright © 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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