07/06/2026
SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
Dear friends in Christ, today we celebrate one of the most inescapable and profound teachings of the Church's life: The solemnity of the most Body and Blood of Christ. This teaching which the Church has held onto for centuries is not merely any construction at all; rather, it flows from the very self of the Head of the Church who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Today's solemnity started just in a simple style celebrated by a small community around the 13th century. With all proofs beyond doubt being established, Pope Urban extended it to the universal church, and even instructed St Thomas d'Aquino to compose a song for it. Hence, the composition of the Tantum ergo which is still used today. Interestingly, as we celebrate this solemnity, the readings given for our reflection today fittingly explore the concept of this solemnity as God giving us Himself as food.
Friends, it is a real fact that people will prefer living in this world longer than usual. In the 80's and 90's Hit by Alphaville, the singer pointed out these words, “... sooner or later they'll all be gone why don't they stay young... it's so hard to get old without a cause, I don't want to perish like a fading horse...”. Friends, these words reflect an outburst of an eager desire of most if not all people. We wish to stay young forever.
Consequently, many people in their bid to achieve being forever young have resorted to lots of stuff: pomades, pills and other dangerous chemicals. But friends, as long as we possess this earthly frame, we cannot dodge decay. Surely, the mortal shall be separated from the immortal. And if such happens, what would be the essence of all you have spent on yourself just to stay young and live forever?
Dear friends, God is really good. Scripture tells us that He created us like Himself which means that God intends that we live forever. The doubting question sometimes surfaces, How? How can I live forever when I am not immune from death? Christ promises us when He speaks thus in today's gospel, “ I am the living bread which came down from heaven and anyone who eats this bread will live forever”.
What does Christ mean by this? Most people today are like those disciples of old. They never seek understanding but face every teaching with critiques. The fact of the matter is that, Christ really was bent on the truth that, eating his flesh guarantees life in Him. Yet, Christ would not want to pose the very thing that gives life to be a cause for great scandal for many. Therefore, those who waited for the unveiling of the truth saw it when at the Last Supper, Christ took bread and said, This is my body. And same with the wine as being His Blood.
Dear friends, now the long awaited response to our doubting question _how_ is given, Christ gives Himself as food for eternal life. This therefore is what we who desire to live forever ought to go after. For those who doubt Christ's presence in the bread and wine species, pray to God for open eye and understanding. For those who believe, keep believing and always desire to be in communion with Christ.
Moreover, especially for those who believe in Christ's presence in the species, St Paul reminds us of the essence of our lives after receiving the Body of Christ. The reception ought to inure to a peaceful living with others. The reception of the bread and wine is the reception of the fullness of Christ. Therefore, you carry God with you wherever you may be. Supposing Christ to be physically present with you, would you go or think or behave in the manner you do? Dear friends, the intention of God must be realized as we take the Body and Blood of Christ. God desires that we live in joy forever. We should watch out that this very purpose does not turn into a cause of damnation for us.
Again, we are called to promote and live in oneness just like how we partake in the one bread and cup. It is sad how some Christians fight among themselves forgetting that they share in one bread. Friends, if we understand the assurance this consumption gives us, we would not downplay its efficacy in any way. Let us believe in what we consume and we shall obtain what is assured by the Lord.
Let us pray that God will grant us the gift of faith so that we will appreciate the depth of God's love for us, to the point of giving Himself as food leading to eternal life. We continue to pray that Christians who partake in this Body and Blood will do so in reverence and love. May God inspire the hearts of all people to live in peace and unity as we anticipate to be one with God forever in the world to come.
Grace and peace from Christ be upon us all. Amen
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Victor Marie Agyekum K**i
Per gratiam Dei vivimus
