SOCL, Corpus ChristiC

Sunday June 22, 2025

See

Bodily hunger and thirst are easy to recognise—we feel them directly. The deeper hungers can take longer, especially in our “culture of distraction” where there is so little room for reflection and real conversation. These hungers are just as real, of course, and call for recognition and response. But the first step is really awareness and attention to the hints and nudges life provides.

Listen

Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110 (109); 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17

Reflect

(Luke 9:11-17)

Jesus welcomes the crowd, teaches them, and cures those in need of healing. Bring to mind the ways in which the story of Jesus and his message have brought you enlightenment, and healing.

The miracle is symbolic of the abundance of blessings coming to us from God through Jesus. How has your faith in Jesus been a source of nourishment to you? What blessings have you received through your faith?

When the disciples became aware of the problem they wanted to send the crowd away and Jesus told them “You give them something to eat”. They thought what they had was insufficient but Jesus used the little they had to feed the crowd. Have you ever found that when you give the little you have to a situation, the results were beyond your expectations?

Pray

You have blessed all generations, O God most high, in Jesus, our compassionate saviour, for through him you invite us to your kingdom, welcome us to your table, and provide us with nourishment in abundance. Teach us to imitate your unfailing kindness and to build up Christ’s body, the Church, by generously handing on to others the gifts we have received from your bounty. Amen.

The Word today, Corpus ChristiC

June 23 - June 28, 2025

Monday 23 June

Genesis 12:1-9 The story of Abraham, our father in faith, begins today and our reading is the foundational scene. In the preceding chapter 11, Abraham is mentioned almost casually and then, all of a sudden, he is called in an extraordinary way by God. The promise given to Abraham— that he will be a blessing to all the tribes of the earth—was seen by Paul to be fulfilled in Jesus.

Matthew 7:1-5 It seems to be human nature that we see more easily in others the faults we have ourselves. We should reflect on our judgements because they hold a mirror to ourselves. The tone is humorous and deadly serious at the same time.

Tuesday 24 June

Birth of John the Baptist

Isaiah 49:1-6 The mention of “forming in the womb”, a prophetic idiom, makes this a suitable reading for the feast, anticipating the Gospel. Ultimately, the reading points beyond John the Baptist to Jesus as the light of the nations.

Acts 13:22-26 It is not possible to tell the story of salvation, or indeed that of Jesus, without mentioning John the Baptist, as we see in this reading.

Luke 1:57-66, 80 Our Gospel is devoted mainly to the naming of John the Baptist and the reaction to his birth. We too are invited to “treasure these things in our heart.”

Wednesday 25 June

Genesis 15:1-12,17-18 Our reading is both deep and mysterious. In effect, it is a renewal of God’s promise to Abraham and the renewal takes the form of a covenant ceremony. By walking through the halved animals, Abraham says “may this happen to me” if I break the agreement.

Matthew 7:15-20 The early church had an abundance of prophets, some genuine, others false. How to tell the difference? According to their fruits, of course.

Thursday 26 June

Genesis 16:1-12,15-16 In the ancient world, polygamy led to wifely rivalry over fertility. The story is slanted against Hagar and Ishmael, but they too receive a (slightly unsettling) blessing!

Matthew 7:21-29 A bit of geography may help us. Dry river beds in Israel—known as wadis— are subject to unpredictable and potentially fatal flash floods. Building your house on sand, i.e. on the sandy floor of a wadi is very, very dumb!

Friday 27 June

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Ezekiel 34:11-6 This wonderful reading is in many ways both a deep reflection on Psalm 23 and a outspoken response to the failure of the “shepherds” at the time of great Exile in Babylon. It cannot fail to inspire today.

Romans 5:5-11 Beginning with the last verse of the previous paragraph (vv.1-5), we hear about the extraordinary love of God in Christ. You can feel Paul’s continued astonishment, years and years after his first encounter with the Risen Lord.

Luke 15:3-17 The reading takes up the image of the shepherd again, this time underling the note of rejoicing, typical of the Gospel of Luke.

Saturday 28 June

St Irenaeus, bishop and doctor

Genesis 18:1-15 Known in the Orthodox tradition as The Hospitality of Abraham, this wonderful scene has reverberated both in Scripture and in art. It is alluded to in Hebrews: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2) It also inspired the much-loved Old Testament Trinity of Rublev.

Matthew 8:5-17 To whom was Jesus sent? According to himself, to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” In this Gospel, we overhear the realisation of the early church that Gentiles too could come to faith in Jesus. Cf. Then Peter started speaking: “I now truly understand that God does not show favouritism in dealing with people, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is welcomed before him.” (Acts 10:34–35).

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bb, June 22). The solemnity of the most holy body and blood of Christ. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062225.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings

One another, Corpus ChristiC

June 22, 2025

Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110 (109); 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17

Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world:

For the Church: that we will live as a Eucharistic people, giving and sharing ourselves, as Christ continually does for us, so that all may have life: let us pray to the Lord.

For this assembly: that we may find strength in each Eucharist that we share so that we may profess in word and deed the dying and rising of Lord each day: let us pray to the Lord.

For our fuller participation in the New Covenant: that each sharing in the Eucharist may deepen our baptismal identity as beloved daughters and sons of God and our communion in Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For all priests: that they may be renewed, strengthened, and drawn closer to God and God’s people as they celebrate the Eucharist: let us pray to the lord.

For all who cannot receive the Eucharist: that we, as Body of Christ, may be a source of God’s love and compassion for them: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who hunger for deeper meaning and truth: that our witness may help them find Christ who will fulfill the longings of their hearts: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who lack food and nourishment: that we may hear Christ’s challenge to “give them food” and open our hearts more fully to all who are in need: let us pray to the Lord.

For greater awareness and reverence for Christ’s presence: that we may recognize the many ways Christ is present in the Eucharist, in the scriptures, and in one another, and approach our celebrations with faith and reverence: let us pray to the Lord.

For an eschatological vision: that we may recognize our invitation to share in the heavenly banquet each time we share in the Eucharistic celebration: let us pray to the Lord.

For a greater spirit of openness and hospitality: that we may welcome all whom God sends our way and share with them the gifts that God has shared with us: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who bring the Body of Christ to the homebound and hospitalized: that they may be renewed through their service and be a support and a source of joy for those whom they serve: let us pray to the Lord.

For government leaders: that God will give them a new vision of how to address violence, firearms, and the use of force in our society: let us pray to the Lod.

For peace: that God will protect all who are caught in warfare or violence, bring an end to armed conflicts, and give strength to all who are working for peace: let us pray to the Lord.

[USA] For all fathers and those who have shown us a father’s love: that God will grant them peace and health, and help them give good example and a source of encouragement to their children: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have died, particularly our fathers: that God will welcome to the eternal banquet and fill them with life and peace: let us pray to the Lord.

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bb, June 22). The solemnity of the most holy body and blood of Christ. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062225.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.