Say it with me: ‘The Body of Christ gives the Body of Christ to the Body of Christ so the Body of Christ becomes more like the Body of Christ.’ Is this a tongue twister, a nursery rhyme, a riddle? Try it again: ‘The Body of Christ gives the…’
Try it this way: Jesus gives the Eucharist to the Church so that we become more like Him. As Christians, we are the Body of Christ. In baptism, we are washed clean in His Blood. We are welcomed into the Divine Family as little sons and daughters with the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. St Paul says simply, “You are the Body of Christ” [1 Cor 12: 27].
Sometimes we act like it. The saints exemplify a Christ-like way of life. But we don’t always act like it-- because of selfishness, bad habits, laziness, and sin. Sometimes we want to play the ‘humility card’ in order to dodge our calling: “Lord, you are truly the Christ, and I am but an unworthy sinner.” Yes. But, He wants to make us more like Himself, and thus more truly ourselves. We are the Body of Christ, and yet it's clear that we need a lot of help.
This Sunday we celebrate Corpus Christi, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. In the Eucharist, we seek to 'become what we receive, and receive who we are.'* When we receive the Eucharist, His Blood flows through our veins. He transforms me, purifies me, and perfects me from the inside. Usually, the food I eat becomes a part of me: a sandwich or a burrito joins with my flesh and blood. However, when I consume the Bread of Heaven with love, I become (ever more) a part of Him. Jesus is the vine and I am a little branch; I am nourished by His living Blood which flows into me. His Divine Heart pumps life and love into me and into the whole Church, His Body. I am part of His Body, but I need His help to make me into His Body “in Spirit and in Truth.”
One more time: The Body of Christ gives the Body of Christ to the Body of Christ so the Body of Christ becomes more like the Body of Christ. Jesus gives the Eucharist to the Church so that we become more like Him.
