Corpus Christi – Year B (2021)

The readings for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ for Year B give background for the notion of sacrifice and explain why we call Jesus the Lamb of God. The first reading (Exodus 24:3-8) describes how the Israelites sacrificed animals to seal their covenant with God. The psalm (Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18) asks “How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?” The second reading (Hebrews 9:11-15) explains Christ is our high priest, but he also demonstrates sacrificial love. And in the gospel (Mark 14:12-16, 22-26) Jesus institutes the sacrament of the Eucharist during the Passover meal.

So the Blessed Sacrament is the main theme for this feast day along with the notion of self-giving. Here are some suggested activities for this date:

Video: St. Justin Martyr Describes the Early Christian Mass

In this video we see the words of St. Justin wrote to the Roman emperor in 155 AD to defend Christianity. He describes a Mass which would be familiar to us today – the reading from scripture, the homily, the petitions, the offertory, the praying over the gifts, the reception of communion. He even describes bringing communion to those who are not present. He explains that this is called Eucharist and that we believe it is truly the body and blood of Christ. This is a wonderful resource to show the continuity of the order of Mass throughout the ages.

He Asks Us to Give Ourselves to Others

Jesus became bread broken for us, and He asks us to give ourselves to others, no longer to live for ourselves, but for one another. – Pope Francis

This Is My Body

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, "

The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass As Heaven on Earth (The Book of Revelation)

The Book of Revelation can be one of the most difficult books of the bible to understand. In his book The Lamb's Supper: The Mass As Heaven on Earth, Scott Hahn makes the case that the Book of Revelation is actually a description of the Mass. And every time we participate in the Eucharistic celebration we are actually taking part in a liturgy where heaven intersects with earth.