Solemnity The Body & Blood of Christ
† Thursday 22th June 2000
[ Holiday of Obligation in England & Wales ]

Theme: One People of God in communion with Christ
A reading from the Book of Exodus 24 : 3 - 8
Moses, leader of the Old Testament People of Israel, assembles the people to listen to the Law of God. The ‘contract’ made between God and the People, takes the form of an exchange of words, a sacrifice and the sharing of a meal together. The sprinkling with the sacrificial blood marks out these People of the Covenant, “This,” says Moses, “is the blood of the Covenant that the Lord has made with you.”

A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews 9 : 11 - 15
Much of the content of this letter assumes an understanding of Jewish Temple priesthood customs. As the Temple High Priest was permitted to enter the Holy Sanctuary carrying the ‘blood of sacrifice, so now “Christ..has entered the sanctuary once and for all, taking with him..his own blood, having won an eternal redemption for us.” Thus Christ, “brings a new covenant, as the mediator so that the people who were called to an eternal inheritance, may actually received what was promised.”

Gospel according to Mark 14: 12 - 16. 22 - 26
This account of the Last Supper is set in the context of the Jewish ritual of the Passover Meal. Full of significance in its commemoration of the flight from Egyptian slavery, of the freedom gained by the people in the covenant with their God. This is the moment that Jesus chooses to give his disciples a New Covenant, the new pledge of his being with the faithful until the end of time. So “Take it,” Jesus said, “this is my body.” Then he took the cup, “This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”

© Peter Harrison 2000