Fr Gerry O'Shaunessy's reflection on the feast of Corpus Christi this Sunday
Image: SalesianLink/LEGG

Another feast day, yet another virtual experience of the Eucharist. However, today is especially poignant as we celebrate the very gift of Jesus giving us himself - a gift to nourish and to share. 2020 will go down in our history as the time when we could not gather, as parish families, for much of Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Easter and Pentecost. Yet we built up the community of the domestic Church during this time and it is good to have that focus as it is people-centred.

Throughout his ministry Jesus focused his time on others through teaching, healing and care. Even those times that he wanted for himself for peace and prayer were often 'hijacked' by others so that he was forced to refocus his energy on others - very often feeding them in the process. His was always an outreach of care: in Matthew's gospel we are informed that, in the miracle of the loaves and fishes, those who ate were "five thousand men, not counting women and children" (Matt 14: 21). The truth is that Jesus does not overlook anyone: his outreach is to all, especially to those who are not counted by society. Each of us bring something of ourselves to the table of Eucharist and it is our duty, as Church, to ensure that all those contributions are shared and that we learn from the collective wisdom of the whole community. As a Church we are diminished if we ONLY listen to male priests; we ALL gather around the table today and we all have something to offer. As we still experience an inability to physically share the Bread of Life and the Cup of Blessing, we are called to listen to what our Church, the Body of Christ is saying. Once we begin listening to their voices, we realise that by overlooking the contributions of children and women, we impoverish our understanding of the Bible and how it has shaped our culture to share no matter our age or gender.

In our Eucharist we are invited to feast on Jesus; to remember his words and life-giving actions; to share his vision and to make sure that everyone is included and counted. What if it is exactly the people we think don't count that can make miracles happen? What if, in the face of politics and fear and tiny resources and really big problems, what if that little bit we have to offer – that little bit we don't think will count for very much – could change the world? If we truly feast on Jesus, then it can give us a taste for something greater:

• a taste for what we mean to each other;
• a taste for counting the dis-counted;
• a taste for imagining that the little bit you have to offer is the stuff of miracles?

Eucharist is that eternal challenge to "DO this in memory"; Corpus Christi helps us to remember fully and make that contribution. We can taste and see how good the Lord is. Once again this week, the majority of us will have to make a spiritual communion. In the new normal we may well have to re-imagine our vision of Church at least for the foreseeable future. Friends of mine in the States have to pre-book a place at Sunday mass online, as numbers allowed into their church building are severely reduced. Challenges are out there and we will meet them as a community of trust and faith, strengthened by the Body and Blood of Jesus. We will make a difference in the post-pandemic Church and ensure that everyone is counted. In the miracle it was the disciples who wanted to send the crowd away but the Lord offers them (and us) the challenge: "You give them something to eat," Jesus tells his disciples. And today, if you hear that voice, do not harden your hearts.

Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB