June 16, 2025
My dear friends in Christ,
This weekend we observe the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). This day reminds us in a particular way of the great gift of the Holy Eucharist. The Eucharist has been called God’s gift par excellence because it is the gift of Jesus Himself and of His saving work.
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Jesus is present to us in many ways---- in the Scriptures, in all the sacraments, in the assembly of the faithful gathered to pray at Mass, and in the priest presiding at Mass. He is, however, present in the fullest sense in the Blessed Sacrament. What was bread and wine before the words of consecration, truly become the Glorified Christ--Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. In the Holy Eucharist, you receive the same Jesus whom Mary welcomed, shepherds adored, Thomas touched and proclaimed, “My Lord and My God.” He came to the world out of love so long ago. He comes to you out of love at each Mass.
Not only is Christ truly present to us in the Blessed Sacrament at Mass and reserved in the tabernacle afterwards, but at Mass we become present to His saving sacrifice on the Cross at Calvary. Through the Mass, Christ’s one redemptive sacrifice is made present in time and throughout time so that its saving graces continue to be available to us and our world. This awareness deepens our prayer and appreciation for the Mass and God’s goodness.
The centurion, the woman with hemorrhages, the synagogue official, the blind, lame and mute all wanted to come into Christ’s presence to seek healing for themselves or their loved ones. We can do that at our Masses and in our Churches.
The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize the Risen Jesus in their midst but their hearts were burning at His words. They finally recognized Him in the “breaking of the bread.” But at that moment of recognition, He vanished from their sight. May we recognize that He is truly present to us in the Holy Eucharist and, like those disciples who invited Him to, “stay with us Lord,” may we remain with Him each weekend at Mass and in our worthy reception of Holy Communion and our reverent visits to the tabernacle outside of Mass.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Bishop of Norwich