This is my body, which is for you.
I am seated on the porch of this wonderful tiny cottage overlooking the ocean reflecting on the amazing day yesterday. Our diocese celebrated the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Other dioceses will celebrate it this coming Sunday.
The day started early, waking at 5am to get ready for our journey to the parish church. The road was unusually crowded for a public holiday and we arrived at 6:45 to open and prepare the church for Mass and procession carded to start at 7:30am. When I arrived, there were already persons waiting for the church to open its doors.
In my homily I spoke on this year’s 2nd Reading - Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians 11: 23-26. And asked the congregation to reflect on three words - ‘the Eucharist as -Food, Sacrifice and Covenant’.
Food: Jesus is truly offering His Body and Blood as food for our life journey.
Sacrifice: Jesus converted His sacrificial suffering and death on the cross to an offering of Love to the Father.
Covenant: He instituted a new covenant with us - to love each other as He loves us. This covenant is written on our hearts and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
At the end of Mass, Father offered up a Benediction and soon we were at the door of the church, I carrying the monstrance with the Precious Body and Blood. It never ceases to surprise me how obstacles come in our way as we try to do God’s work. As soon as we crossed the threshold of the door, a shower of rain came down.
We had a choice, abandon the procession, reduce it to around the Rosary Garden or proceed as planned. Since I was carrying the monstrance, I made the bold decision - proceed as planned. We ventured out bravely with unfolding umbrellas.
And just as surprisingly, when we proceed in the face of obstacles, with faith, as we turned the corner into the public road, the rain reduced it’s intensity. By the procession, a symbolic pilgrimage, we made a public reverential testimony of the sacredness of the Body and Blood of Christ.
Soon we were back in the church to complete the Benediction and then proceed to a little gathering hosted by the Parish Council as a thanksgiving for my year’s service as Parish Administrator and to wish Sandee and me God’s blessings on our continuing pilgrimage.
What a delightful brunch we had, plates filled with delicious food and heartwarming hugs and kind words and short speeches of well wishes and blessings. We lingered, basking in the love and visiting the buffet and the punch bowl for seconds and thirds. All too soon we were off on a two hour car drive to meet hospitable friends at their rented beach house.
We arrived at 3:30pm and after for few hugs and kisses, I asked to be excused and collapsed in our allocated cottage for a one hour deep sleep. Later in the evening Sandee and I sat around the pool and jacuzzi talking with friends as they lazily soaked in the heated water.
Late evening, I took a casual walk across the expansive lawn. I met a swarm of fireflies, too numerous to count, like the blinking lights of a Christmas tree. The sky was overcast and there was a strong cold blustery sea breeze with the roar of the sea filling the air. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and thanked God for the blessings of the day.