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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, June 10, 2012
By Jeff Hedglen
Catholic News Service
June 10, Solemnity of 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
In my young adult years it was such a joy to attend Mass with a group of friends who all participated in the same Bible study. In fact, besides Mass and Bible study, we did pretty much everything together. It was an amazing experience of the body of Christ on many levels.
The bond we shared was rooted in the sacraments and faith formation, and it sustained us through some rough years as young adults. We formed our own social circle and did community service together. Many people met their spouses, and marriages were made through this community.
Now, 25 years later, many of us are still friends and our children are continuing the bond we share. In a very real way the body of Christ was and is experienced in this group. The connection is supernatural, transforming, encouraging and consoling, and it spans decades.
Another way the body of Christ was revealed to me in the context of this group happened one day as the group was at Mass together. I was sitting next to Kelly. After Communion, I noticed that she was weeping. I did not say anything but just prayed for whatever might be upsetting her.
The next week, we ended up next to each other again and after Communion she was weeping again. This time I asked if everything was all right. She said, "Yes, I just feel Jesus cleansing me of my sins." This blew me away. The body and blood of Jesus had affected her in a deeper way than I had ever felt.
This week's reading from Hebrews speaks of the power of Jesus to take away sin: "How much more will the blood of Christ ... cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God."
Whether it is in eucharistic form or in shared communal bonds, the body of Christ renews and transforms. It is no wonder that the documents of the Second Vatican Council refer to the Eucharist as the source and summit of Christian spirituality. The body and blood of Jesus is the place where it all began, and it is the place we find completion.
QUESTIONS:
How have you experienced the body of Christ in community? How does receiving the body and blood of Jesus impact your life of faith?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God" (Hebrews 9:14).
END
Copyright © 2012 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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