Corpus Christi

Sometimes we’re better at receiving the Body and Blood of Christ than we are at becoming the Body and Blood of Christ. Whether we eat, drink, receive, adore, or worship the Body of Christ is of no avail if we do not become the Body of Christ. The meaning of Eucharistic Spirituality must center on what we become because of what we do. Sitting in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament must make us more like the One whose presence is the focus of our gaze. Receiving the Body of Christ must make us more like the One whose Body and Blood we consume. St. Augustine said, “We become what we receive.” We become one with the Christ, but we also become one with others. That is the motive, the consequence, and the reality of what we do at Mass. But unity doesn’t come easily, just like it didn’t come easily for the Apostles. They struggled to understand what it was they were called to become . . . and we still share in that struggle. St. Paul mentioned that the Corinthian community, especially, struggled to get the point. They were self-satisfied and comfortable in their ways. They were attentive to their friends and those who could do something for them. They gathered easily for the Eucharist. Maybe they looked around for those they knew and maybe they hoped to be noticed by others. All the while, they ignored the poor and hungry. For the Corinthians, the gathering together had become a time to get something or even to take something. Today’s Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ has hopefully reminded us that we didn’t go to church today to get something. There is not a single Sunday on the calendar where we are invited to take.

Maybe we can best understand the Eucharist by paying attention to what we are given: something that has been broken. We do not receive the whole thing. We do not get something that is perfect. Broken is the point here! Broken bread for a broken people because of a Christ who was broken for His people. Our brokenness becomes His brokenness so that His wholeness can become ours. As challenging as it is, it is not until our lives have been broken in service and in love that we will grow to understand better the Eucharist we share. Fr. Gregory Duerr, now Abbot Gregory at Mt. Angel Abbey, once preached that it is not until we have nothing left, until we cling to nothing more, until we have surrendered all power and pride that the One most broken and most humiliated can transform us into a Eucharistic people. What's more, the whole of the New Testament says that the wholeness, the unity, the oneness that the Eucharist is, is not just unity with Christ, nor unity among us, but is also unity within that comes from healing and forgiveness. In the end, it is good for us to celebrate on days like today that we are, yes, a broken people. But a broken people who have reached out and touched and been touched by love broken for us. That’s the miracle of the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ. It is a miracle as much about what we are becoming as it is about bread becoming flesh and wine becoming blood. The Real Presence, then, is not simply or only there in the tabernacle of your parish church . . . is it?

The Catholic community here in Gold Beach welcomed Bruce and I very generously today. It was a special joy to celebrate today's Corpus Christi Mass in the presence of my cousin Jerry Herbage, his wife Cathy, and their daughter Clara. The Herbages were the only "family" we had in Oregon as we were growing up and we've had a tight bond with our Oregon-cousins over the years. Jerry and Cathy and their daughters have lived in Gold Beach for nearly thirty years.

After Mass with Cathy and Jerry Herbage

On a different level of miracle, let me share the miracle of God’s immense beauty encountered today on the road. Enjoy!

First Vista After Cape Sebastian

A Look Back at Cape Sebastian

Beach Near Pistol River

A Wider Look Back to Cape Sebastian

A Beautiful Contrast to

Big Rocks and Roaring Surf

Pistol River

Near Boardman State Park

Breathtaking View of the Coastline

A View like this at Every Turn

Coastal Rocks

Boardman State Park



Here's a reminder (from many posts ago) that there is a prayer which I’ve been praying (every day) on this journey. Feel free to make it your own, however short or long your pilgrimage is each day.

Lord Jesus,
you traveled with two disciples to
Emmaus after the resurrection and set their
hearts on fire with your grace.
Travel also with us and gladden our hearts
with your presence.
We know, Lord,
that we are pilgrims on earth,
seeking citizenship in heaven.
During our journey surround us
with your holy angels and keep us safe
from seen and unseen dangers.
Grant that we may carry out our plans
and fulfill our expectations
according to your will.
Help us to see the beauty of creation
and to comprehend the wonder of your truth
in all things.
For you are the way, the truth, and the life,
and to you we give thanks, praise,
and glory forever.
Amen.

A St. Francis moment:

***

The "What should I do as I reach the end?" contest:

It seems that Johnnie Walker and Wild Turkey are recurring themes for some of you! Prayers of thanksgiving are front runners right now, but it's not too late to send me other suggestions. I may combine some of your suggestions . . . there's nothing that says I can only do one thing as I arrive at the Winchuck River and mark the end of the journey. Thank you.