Reflection for the Feast of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ…June 2, 2024

by Sr Joy Connealy, ND

Reflecting on this feast brought me back to a time when I served among the Native American people in Porcupine, South Dakota.  The first traditional wake I experienced deepened my understanding and gratitude for the Eucharist.  A father of two of our students and a leader in the Lakota tribe died and the wake lasted three days.  On the final night his family began giving away his possessions, explaining that they wanted his spirit and goodness to live on in the community.  Slowly items that belonged to him were given to people he had known in life.  Each gift given was with a reminder of the good done by this tribal member and it was up to us to keep his memory and good works alive.  Even the furniture that we were on was gifted.

As I experienced that, I couldn’t help but think about the Eucharist.  Jesus is broken and poured out for our redemption.  It is up to us to keep that memory and the saving action of his love alive and thriving in our world.

Jesus promises “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will have everlasting life.

May we take seriously our role in being broken and poured out for others – the stranger, the person we may disagree with and the person we think is our enemy.  Jesus died for each of us and left us with the food we need to be strengthened to create a world of love and welcome.