Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: June 2, 2024

Date: Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ/Corpus Christi

Scripture Text:  Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"' Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there." The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel for today recounts Jesus’ institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper from the Gospel of Mark.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

When I receive the Eucharist, do I truly recognize Christ and His gift to me? Do I open myself completely to this gift of life from Christ made through His gift of His life for me?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your beloved Son to take on our human nature, to dwell among us, to reveal your love for us and your desire that we might live as your daughters and sons. He taught us of your great love for us and to call You “Abba.” For love of You and love of us, He selflessly sacrificed himself as atonement for our sins. Through His death upon the cross of Calvary, He won for us the battle against sin. Through His resurrection, He won for us the battle against death. In His gift to us of the Eucharist, He gives to us His body and His blood to sustain us. Grant that through the power of the Spirit we may be the daughters and sons You created us to be and the disciples your Son calls us to be. Grant, also, that we will always recognize the gift of Jesus’ self to us in the Eucharist. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.