Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     Though we have returned to the season of Ordinary Time and the “wearing of the green”, we have celebrated and will celebrate today the second of the two Dogmatic Solemnities that are the bedrock of our Faith. Today is Corpus Christi, or the Body and Blood of Christ Solemnity.   Again we approach this Mystery with awe and wonder and perhaps ask ourselves: “does God really love us this much that He condescends to be the Bread of Life for our spiritual and physical nourishment?”   I guess He does. And that should bring us to our knees in humble thanksgiving and gratitude. 

     As Catholics and with our brothers and sisters in the Orthodox Churches we have the unique privilege to partake of the very Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for which others could only hope.  In order to be a  true Sacrifice there must be a priesthood which is guaranteed by Apostolic Succession, possessed only by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.  Therefore our reverence and devotion to the Holy Eucharist must be of ultimate respect.  We genuflect or bow before our Eucharistic Lord upon entrance into His Presence in Church.  We refrain from unnecessary talking because of our recognition that He is here.  We humbly receive Him upon our tongues or upon the throne of our hands held before our hearts and consume this precious gift before we leave the Altar. Sometimes we can become a little bit careless in these things and Corpus Christi is always a good time to renew our behavior in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

     This Solemnity is also a good time to renew our earnest prayers for an increase of vocations to the Holy Priesthood.  Remember: “no priest, no Eucharist”,  So it is incumbent on all to pray daily that God will choose holy men to serve His people as priests.

      The Holy Eucharist is of course the most intimate means by which we are united to God, individually, and to one another collectively. That is why one must be in union with the Church in order to receive our Lord.  And, of course, in order to receive Him we must be in the state of grace, that is, without mortal sins.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), assures us that we are properly disposed to receive our Lord in Holy Communion.

    As we participate in the Corpus Christi celebrations we recall these teachings of the Church and renew the joy we have in knowing that He is here.

With Blessings,

Father Langan