The Second reading at the Mass of Corpus Christi tomorrow speaks clearly about the connection between the community and Christ, symbolised in the Eucharistic food and drink.
The blessing-cup that we bless is a communion with the blood of Christ, and the bread that we break is a communion with the body of Christ. The fact that there is only one loaf means that, though there are many of us, we form a single body because we all have a share in this one loaf.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
It is often observed that our contemporary Catholic experience is very unlike that of the early Christian communities known by Paul. We use little individual breads, not a single loaf and many (most?) shun or refuse the blessing-cup. We say we form a single body in the Lord, but we don’t necessarily live that way, and for sure we rob ourselves of a powerful symbol of the unity we are offered in Christ.
- What symbolises your unity with those you are missioned with?
- With whom do you share the common life? How is that expressed?
