June 7 - Solemnity of Corpus Christi: Bread that liberates

 

First Reading  Exodus 24:3-8 
The covenant is established between God and the people.

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 116:12-13,15-16,17-18
God brings salvation.

Second Reading  Hebrews 9:11-15
Christ is the mediator of the new covenant.

Gospel Reading
Mark 14:12-16,22-26

God’s nourishment at times does not seem as tasty as some foods that the world offers, and so the faithful at times dream of other meals, like the Israelites in their exodus from Egypt. They remembered the meals they had in Egypt, but had a “selective memory” at the times of their temptation and forgot that they ate at the table of slavery. A similar temptation is present today. If we look around, we realize that there are so many offers for food that don't come from the Lord and that apparently satisfy more. Some are fed with money, others with success and vanity, others with power and pride. But the food that truly nourishes and that satisfies is only that which the Lord gives! Man has both a physical hunger and another hunger, a hunger that cannot be satisfied with ordinary food. This is a hunger for life, a hunger for love, a hunger for eternity. Manna, the miraculous bread that fed the Israelites, is a sign of the food that satisfies this profound hunger that there is in man. Jesus gives us this food, by becoming himself the living bread that gives life to the world. His body is the true food under the species of bread; his blood is the true drink under the species of wine. Let us celebrate and adore.