A friend shared a “life-giving” moment when he was checking in for his flight. A lady who looked like she was having a bad day, curtly asked him: “Are you carrying anything breakable?” He looked straight into her eyes and said: “Only my heart, dear,” and that elicited a beautiful smile from her.
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Today is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. It is the precious Body and Blood of Christ that give life to us. The Body of Christ is food that nourishes us, and the Blood of Christ is the shield that protects us in our journey to God’s heart.
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In today’s Gospel (Jn. 6, 51-58), Jesus calls Himself “the living bread that came down from heaven.” And He tells us that “whoever eats this bread will live forever.” May Jesus nourish and sustain us in our earthly pilgrimage, and lead us to eternal life.
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Last week, a young man showed up just before our 10 a.m. Mass that was streamed live asking if he could join us at the chapel, even if he will just attend the Mass outside, begging to receive Holy Communion, if at all possible, because, he said, he misses the Eucharist so much. What a deep faith. I saw him with a beautiful and grateful smile when he waved at me after the Mass.
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It has been three months now of Eucharistic famine and drought. As one Body of Christ all over the world, we miss the Mass, the Holy Communion, and spiritual gatherings. Let it be for now. Perhaps the Lord has a plan, and we have lessons to learn. But, He is never gone. He is not far away. He is with us always, and in all ways.
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All too often we realize the importance of something when it is no longer there. May our temporary deprivation of the sacraments make us realize their importance in our lives.
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Beyond the sacramental Body of Christ, we are the spiritual Body of Christ. We form the Body of Christ. How do we keep alive the Body of Christ as individuals, and as one family, especially during these difficult and uncertain times brought by the pandemic? PSG!
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PRAYER. Prayer connects us to God. It is the food of our souls. Without prayer, we become weak, vain, and empty, spiritually. We need prayer to nourish, sustain, and strengthen us in our journey to God’s heart.
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SACRIFICE. Sacrifice disconnects us from worldly pleasures and distractions. Fasting disciplines our bodies and sets us free from worldly prisons and poisons so that we can travel light in our journey to God’s heart.
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GOODNESS. Through our good deeds, we connect God to the world, and the world to God. May our journey through life be filled with many good works and good deeds. We carry nothing with us except the faith we have shared, and the love in our hearts at the end of our journey to God’s heart.
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The best way to help build up the Body of Christ is not so much to become a somebody, as to be a someone, to God and to His people. What the Body of Christ needs more nowadays is the heart—that must go with our structures, and our functions.
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I am Fr. Orbos “Christi.” “Christi” means “of Christ,” i.e., I belong to Christ! Today, say your name, and add “Christi,” and affirm that you belong to Christ, and you are a member of the Body of Christ. Tell your loved ones today their names, and add “Christi,” and claim them for Christ. Today let us all renew our membership in the Body of Christ, privileges and responsibilities included. One with you!
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A moment with the Lord:Lord, may our journey to Your heart be sustained with prayers, sacrifices, and good deeds. Amen.
jorbos@inquirer.com.ph