“Very really, I let you know, until you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you haven’t any life in you. Those that eat my flesh and drink my blood have everlasting life, and I’ll increase them up on the final day; for my flesh is true meals and my blood is true drink. Those that eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them (John 6:53-56).”
These verses, referred to as the “Bread of Life Discourse,” come from the Gospel of John, one of many 4 gospel narratives within the New Testomony, Fr. Jeffrey Kirby advised Fox Information Digital.
Kirby is pastor of Our Woman of Grace Parish in Indian Land, South Carolina, and is the host of the day by day devotional podcast “Morning Providing with Father Kirby.”
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Whereas the precise authorship of this gospel is unknown, John’s Gospel is mostly attributed to the Apostle John, says the web site Catholic Solutions.
This weekend, many Christians are observing the Feast of Corpus Christi, Kirby advised Fox Information Digital.
In Latin, Corpus Christi interprets to “Physique of Christ.” The feast day itself was established within the mid-Thirteenth century, mentioned Kirby, after a Eucharistic miracle noticed a number start bleeding throughout Mass.
The Feast of Corpus Christi is a solemnity celebrating the physique and blood of Christ, mentioned a South Carolina-based priest. Right here, the Eucharist is carried in a particular container referred to as a monstrance. (FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
Some Christian denominations imagine in “transubstantiation,” or the idea that Jesus is bodily current within the Eucharist — and pointed to this and different comparable Eucharistic miracles as proof.
“St. Thomas Aquinas, a famend and extremely revered theologian and thinker of the time, was moved by the miracle and inspired the pope to create a feast day during which the Lord’s Presence may very well be celebrated,” mentioned Kirby.
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In fashionable occasions, “the feast day contains each a particular Mass and a solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament round parish campuses, cities, and cities,” he mentioned.
Moreover, this yr the US is internet hosting the Nationwide Eucharistic Congress – the primary in 83 years, mentioned Kirby.
This yr the US is internet hosting the Nationwide Eucharistic Congress – the primary in 83 years.
“The Eucharistic Congress is part of a three-year Nationwide Eucharistic Revival referred to as for by the U.S. bishops,” he mentioned.
The bishops hope that the revival will result in “a powerful, extra sturdy, perception within the Lord’s Presence within the Eucharist” that “will unfold within the hearts of believers and shared with those that don’t have any religion or are wrestling to discover a religion in God,” mentioned Kirby.
Eucharistic processions, such because the one pictured above, are a part of the celebration of Corpus Christi, mentioned a South Carolina-based priest. (Jorge Castellanos/SOPA Photos/LightRocket by way of Getty Photos)
“For Catholics and different Christians, the Lord’s Presence within the Eucharist is the best present given by the everlasting Son of God to the human household. It’s His presence with us,” mentioned Kirby.
The Feast of Corpus Christi, mentioned Kirby, attracts again to the higher room the place Jesus celebrated Passover with His followers shortly earlier than His crucifixion.
“Because the end result of His three years with them, Jesus tells His followers that He eagerly anticipated consuming the Passover with them,” mentioned Kirby.
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The priest continued, “The anticipation is comprehensible since in its celebration, the Lord fulfilled the traditional ritual and commenced His personal sacrifice. And by His sacrifice, the Lord Jesus affords a brand new and everlasting covenant of reconciliation and love.”
The brand new covenant “is sustained by sacred reminiscence, and made perceptible by a holy meal,” mentioned Kirby.
The Feast of Corpus Christi “is the annual reminder of God’s accompaniment with us,” mentioned Fr. Jeffrey Kirby of Indian Land, South Carolina. (Fr. Jeffrey Kirby/Getty Photos)
This meal, referred to as the “Eucharist” — which interprets to “the good thanksgiving” — is “the edible reality of God’s presence amongst us.”
He added, “The Lord permits His divine presence to stay with the human household underneath the looks of bread and wine within the Eucharist” — noting that the Eucharist “is a tangible reminder to us of God’s accompaniment by way of the journey of life.”
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With out the Eucharist, “There can be no tangible entry to the residing God or any palpable technique of responding to His invitation to be with Him with out his Eucharistic Presence,” he mentioned.
“The Lord wishes to be with us.”
“Corpus Christi, due to this fact, is the annual reminder of God’s accompaniment with us,” mentioned Kirby.
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The celebration is a reminder to each era of believers “that Jesus Christ is our buddy and companion.”
Stated Kirby, “The Lord wishes to be with us, stroll with us by way of the thrill and sufferings of life, and information us into the everlasting lifetime of heaven.”
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