Music Info
We Are Saved
By Borrtex
We Are Saved | CC License
Lauda Sion
By St Cecilia's Abbey, Ryde
Corpus Christi – in honour of the Eucharist | St Cecilias Abbey
Script
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This weekend is Saturday the 22 and Sunday the 23 June, the Feast of Corpus Christi, beginning the Ninth Week of Ordinary Time.
The nuns of St Cecelia’s Abbey sing the hymn Lauda Sion. This ancient hymn, written by St Thomas Aquinas, speaks of a deep love of, and thankfulness for, the Eucharist. As I enter into prayer today, can I sense that thankfulness? Can I make this prayer my own?
Today’s reading is from the First Letter to the Corinthians.
This section from the first letter of St Paul to the early Church in Corinth provides the basis for the part of the Eucharistic prayer known as the ‘institutional narrative’ – the bit which tells us what happened when Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples. The word Eucharist comes from the Greek word for thanksgiving - are we sufficiently thankful for all that God has done and, as we reflect on the Feast of Corpus Christi, are we sufficiently thankful for the gift of the Eucharist?
On the night when he was betrayed Even at time of great anxiety (think about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane) Jesus is still wanting to serve his Disciples. What does this tell us about Jesus’ capacity to love?
This is my body that is for you – in this sentence, Jesus is pointing out two things: firstly the nature of the Eucharist but also the fact that he gives his all; his body for the world. Do we really value the Eucharist enough? Do we respond with a similar generosity to Jesus who gives his all for us?
As you listen to the reading again, ponder the immensity of God’s love shown to us in Jesus who gives his all for the world. Give thanks – make Eucharist – for that and pray that you might be given the strength to respond with a similar generosity.
You proclaim the Lord’s death – part of the Christian task is to Evangelise; to tell people about the good news of Jesus. All Christians are called to ‘proclaim’ Jesus not only with their words but also in their deeds. In these last few moments of prayer, ask how effective are we as we witness to Jesus? Do our actions and our words match up?