Corpus Christi

Yesterday was the feast of Corpus Christi, which is Latin for “Body of Christ”. We celebrated the gift of the Eucharist. Although the Eucharist looks like bread and wine, It is really the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

Jesus promised He would give us Himself as the bread of life.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven.

If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world.

John 6:51–52 (DRC)

At the Last Supper, He kept this promise.

This picture is from an old illuminated manuscript, the Codex Bruchsal. On the top, we see Jesus raising the chalice. He is consecrating the wine, as the priest does today at Mass.

And whilst they were eating, Jesus took bread; and blessing, broke, and gave to them, and said: Take ye. This is my body.

And having taken the chalice, giving thanks, he gave it to them. And they all drank of it.

And he said to them: This is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many.

Mark 14:22–24 (DRC)

On the bottom, we see what happened after the supper: Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.

Then after he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, being set down again, he said to them: Know you what I have done to you?

You call me Master, and Lord; and you say well, for so I am.

If then I being your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

For I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also.

Amen, amen I say to you: The servant is not greater than his lord; neither is the apostle greater than he that sent him.

If you know these things, you shall be blessed if you do them.

John 13:12–17 (DRC)