The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ - Year B - Corpus Christi & “Laud, O Zion”
Corpus Christi’s Mass readings this weekend begin with Moses and the people of Israel (Ex. 24:3-8). Moses shares God's laws, which are serious promises between God and His people. The sprinkling of blood shows a deep commitment. This reminds us that following God requires a real promise from our hearts.
The readings call us to remember this promise, much like the Israelites did with Passover. But for us, the Eucharist does more than just bring up past events; it makes these events real and present today. Jesus is truly with us in the Eucharist, not just as a memory but as a living presence. This is a powerful act of God’s love, bringing the past and present together. When the Israelites committed to God, they said, "All that the Lord has said, we will heed and do." This shows us that remembering isn't just about thinking back; it's about living out our promises. This means our actions should reflect our faith. Participating in the Eucharist isn't passive—it's an active commitment to live according to God’s will.
Jesus, unlike any high priest before, offers something extraordinary. He uses his own blood, not that of animals. This means Jesus himself ensures our connection to God is forever. His sacrifice opens the door to a new and everlasting agreement with God. In the Gospel (Mk. 14:12-16), Jesus instructs his disciples to set up a special room. Here, he starts the Eucharist, which is Jesus' way of staying with us always. This moment is not just about remembering Jesus, but having Him present with us at every moment, especially during Mass. We are asked to live it (the Eucharist) out by following Jesus' teachings and sharing His love with others.
Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of the Eucharist. Help us to appreciate this gift more deeply and live out your commandments with love and dedication. Amen.
In honour of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we present "Laud, O Zion", a Corpus Christi sequence sung before the gospel acclamation in the liturgy. Our recording is the 'short form' of the full sequence.
Video can be watched by clicking here or on the picture below: