Daily Gospel Reflection for June 2, 2024: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Corpus Christi

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

One of the more dramatic moments of the Gospel unfolds in the Upper Room at the Last Supper. Jesus is setting things up for His disciples, foretelling, in the breaking of bread, His coming death and resurrection. It is a message for those seated at table that day, and for us, now and every day, as we worship Him at Mass. “This is my Body . . . this is my Blood.” This pivotal moment in Jesus’ earthly time was both gift and warning. “It’s going to get hard, but I will be with you always. Trust in Me.”

Not long after that meal, His friends begin faltering, beginning with Peter’s denial. Despite Jesus’ cautioning them that their faith would be shaken and “the sheep will be dispersed,” Peter insisted he wouldn’t be among those with faulty faith. At that, the Lord rebuked him. In our humanness, we can’t help but feel for poor Peter. How could he know what would befall his friend? We, in our ordinary lives, are so blind to what the Lord is doing. We can barely see the road in front of us, never mind the story God is fashioning through our ordinary lives—and the road leading straight to Him.

Recently, in a talk by Elizabeth Kelly for her “Jesus Approaches” study, a new image was presented to me--that of the full moon resembling a glowing, holy Host. It had never occurred to me before how much the moon reflects a shining host in the monstrance. Now, whenever I see a full moon, I am reminded of the gift that was given that day in the Upper Room, how little I still understand, but how near the Lord is if I but look up and trust. “See? I am still with you, now and always.”

Ponder:

When the priest raises the Body and Blood of Jesus at Mass, do you sense the Lord bidding you to come closer, release your fears to Him, and trust?

Pray:

Dear Lord, in my daily life, the road ahead can seem heavy with fog, yet I trust that on the other side of that haze, You are there, arms open wide. Help me see more clearly, each time I consume You at Mass, that the road does, indeed, lead straight to Your heart.

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