Editorial

Corpus Christi: at the core of the Faith

Michael Gilchrist

Contents - Jun 2002 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Corpus Christi: at the core of the Faith - Michael Gilchrist Liturgy: New English Missal: Archbishop Pell to chair international Vox Clara committee - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Neocatechumenal Way setting up its second Australian seminary - Richard Egan Sydney initiative to strengthen Catholic influence at university - Robert Haddad A post-1968 Catholic's view of R.E.: 'My generation was shortchanged' - Mark Power Moral leadership of American hierarchy under scrutiny at Rome meeting - Philip Lawler Following our baptismal calling takes courage - Chrism Mass homily - Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett How John Paul II's 'new springtime' came to an American parish - Elizabeth A. Wittman Pope John Paul II on Catholic Action (from Ecclesia in Oceania) - Pope John Paul II Letters: IVF expansion (letter) - Brian A. Coman Letters: Father Fessio (letter) - P.A. McKenna Letters: An exemplary priest (letter) - John Monaghan Letters: Heroic fantasy (letter) - Hal G.P. Colebatch Events: Talks on the Faith at Thomas More Centre - AD2000 Letters: Good example (letter) - Paul Foster Letters: Radio apostolate (letter) - Maureen Federico Letters: Inclusive language (letter) - George F. Simpson Letters: Accuracy (letter) - Fr John Crothers PP Letters: Excellent edition (letter) - Anne Boyce Letters: Ambiguities (letter) - Valentine Gallagher Letters: Latin Course (letter) - Rev V.I. Falconer SJ Letters: (letter) Letters: Latin Masses in Victoria (letter) - William Campbell Books: 'Right And Reason: Ethics in theory and practice', by Fr Austin Fagothey SJ - Michael Casanova (reviewer) Books: 'Socrates Meets Jesus', by Peter Kreeft - Arthur N. Ballingall (reviewer) Books: The Travels of Friar Odoric, 14th Century journal of Blessed Odoric of Pordenone - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) Books: New Titles from AD Books Reflection: A reason for mercy: healing post-abortion trauma - Anne R. Lastman

The feast of Corpus Christi (2 June) reminds us once again of the Scripture account so central to the Catholic Faith: "Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; for this is the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matt 26: 26-28).

The Acts of the Apostles tell us that, from the earliest times, Christians understood the Last Supper account as meaning Jesus himself was truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

And lest there be any suggestion the words at the Last Supper were simply metaphorical, one has only to refer to John's Gospel (Chapter Six) where Jesus refers to himself as the "bread of life", prompting the reaction of some, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

Instead of explaining his words as a figure of speech, in order to avoid misunderstanding, Jesus reiterated his position in even stronger language, stating categorically, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you ... For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed."

John's Gospel then records the impact of these unambiguous words: "Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said 'This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?"; and "After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him."

Yet, there is no reference to Our Lord pleading with these disciples to reconsider, because he did not intend to be taken literally. His words stood, remaining a sticking point for many potential followers, as they still do today.

In reality, the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is no less a mystery of Faith than the Incarnation itself - where the Creator God assumed human flesh. The proper human response? Life-changing awe and gratitude.

• Michael Gilchrist - Editor (E-mail: mtg@netconnect.com.au)

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 15 No 5 (June 2002), p. 2