B, BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 14:12-16, 22-26, JUNE 2, 2024
1. STORY
In 1958, Bishop James E. Walsh, an American missionary working in China
for many years, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Chinese Communists. He was released from prison after serving 12
years of his sentence. In 1970, at the
age of seventy-nine, he crossed into Hong Kong as a free man. When asked what was the most difficult thing
for him during the long years in prison, he replied that the most difficult
thing was not being able to say Mass and received Holy Communion. I t is a
great blessing to be able to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion.
2. GOSPEL: MARK 14:12-16, 22-26
A. PREPARING FOR THE FEAST
i) The disciples asked Jesus where he wanted them to prepare for the
feast as they knew preparing for the meal was very important.
ii) The feast was the great feast of the Passover. This feast celebrated their freedom from the life of slavery in Egypt.
B. THE LORD’S SUPPER
Jesus and his twelve apostles celebrated this meal. During the course of the meal, Jesus performed
an amazing miracle. He changed the bread
and wine into his body and blood and gave them to his disciples to eat and
drink.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A. PREPARING FOR MASS
It is very important to prepare properly for attending Mass. Here are three suggestions.
i) Preparation begins at home as you decide what clothes to wear. Dress properly as you are to visit the King of
Kings.
ii) Make every effort to arrive early at church for quiet meditation.
iii) Calm your mind by looking briefly at the gospel.
This will help us to be focused on the Mass.
B. THE MASS, THE LORD’S SUPPER
It is a great privilege to be able to participate at Mass which is
divided into two parts: The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the
Eucharist. During the first part, we
must listen attentively to the readings and the homily. God is speaking to us. God has an important message for us. During the second part, we thank God for his
blessings. We prepare our hearts to
receive the Eucharist, the spiritual food we need to continue to be faithful
disciples of Jesus. We should make very
effort to receive Holy Communion each time we attend Mass.
4. CONCLUSION
Bishop Walsh, while in prison, found the most difficult thing was not
being able to celebrate Mass and receive Holy Communion. How blessed we are being able to freely attend
Mass and receive the Eucharist as we wish. Jesus, before his death on the cross,
left us with the precious gift of the Eucharist. Through his Church, he gave priests the power
to change bread and wine into his body and blood. We must prepare well to attend Mass by being
prudent in our choice of clothes, arriving early, and calming our mind before
Mass begins. We should make every effort
to receive Holy Communion every time we attend Mass. We thank Jesus for this fantastic gift. We ask him for help to better understand and
truly appreciate the Eucharist.
