Gospel Reflection for The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
As the sign of his covenant with his people, the Lord directed Moses to make animal sacrifices, pour the blood on the altar and sprinkle it on the people. [Exodus 24: 8] This was the sign by which God sealed his promise and called his people to remain faithful to his Commandments. Although he knew the Israelites would not remain faithful, in his mercy, God patiently prepared them to receive the everlasting Covenant, his only begotten Son. The blood of the first covenant therefore prefigured the most precious Blood of the Son of God, poured out on the altar of the Cross.
God fed his people with manna during their long journey to the promised land. But Moses warned the Israelites that their true nourishment came not from ordinary food, but from the very Word that came forth from God. [Deuteronomy 8:3] The manna then, prefigured the Divine food that would be given by Christ himself, which is his Sacred Body.
When the time came for God to accomplish his greatest work of love and mercy, Jesus gathered his disciples and instructed them to prepare for the Passover feast. There is no doubt that Jesus was identifying himself as the Passover lamb to be offered for the forgiveness of sins and as the sign of the new and eternal Covenant. So, “he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, gave it to them and said, ‘Take it; this is my Body.’ Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.’” [Mark 14: 22-24]
As we give thanks and praise today for the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, it is important that we meditate on the true meaning of this great Gift. We must realize what God has done for us and grasp the significance of our participation in the Mystery. We know that the Lord was not speaking abstractly or using symbolic language when he said, “Take it; this is my Body.” This is the reality of the Divine Gift we know as Eucharist. Truly, it is his Body and Blood. The gift we receive is Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of Man. He indeed feeds us with himself, his Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity. We want to receive the Gift worthily so our response must be “Amen.” This is our assent in faith. Amen means “yes, it is true.” We declare our firm conviction in the truth of Jesus’ words in the Gospel. Even as we admit our unworthiness, we obey the Lord’s command to take and eat. As we receive him, the Lord strengthens our faith in his Real Presence and satisfies our deepest hunger, our greatest need. He gives us eternal Life.
When we receive Holy Communion, we are not merely receiving the Gift passively. Rather, we are making a public declaration of our Communion in the Body of Christ. Our reception of the Eucharist is an affirmation of our belonging to the Church and acceptance of Truth. There must be no contradiction in action or intention. We cannot publicly reject the solemn teachings of the Church and at the same time, declare our Communion with her. Doing so would separate us from the Body.
We cannot deny the disunity caused by sin and schism in the Church of Christ. It is an unfortunate fact. At the same time, we pray and work for the unity of Christians as the Lord has commanded us to do. If we are gathered with Christians of other denominations, we are blessed by the same Holy Spirit, but we cannot pretend that we are of one Communion by sharing in the Eucharist as if it were already true.
Although the sacrifices of the Old Testament were acceptable in preparation for the New. Now, through the death and Resurrection of Christ we have access to the Gift that gives us eternal Life. This is the guarantee of God’s mercy and the source of renewal and Life for all who believe. But this Gift is never static as if it were our possession to hold. Because we are fed, the Spirit impels us to reach out and share the gifts we have received. Because we have been reconciled with God, we are able to reconcile with others and help them while sharing our faith. Remaining faithful to the Gospel and the teachings of the Church, we share our hope. Through works of charity, we share the Love of Christ for others.
This is the reality of God’s Divine Gift. It is not a symbol of a gift but the true Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation. As we give thanks today, let us offer our assent of faith and offer humble submission to God whose Love is everlasting.
The parish invites you to show your appreciation of Father Robert on the occasion of his 30th Anniversary of Ordination. Please feel free to bring cards, drawings and other expressions of well wishes!
Statement of the Bishops of the Province of Baltimore and
the Archdiocese of Washington
Lifting the General Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Mass
The dispensation from Sunday and Holy Days Mass obligation is being lifted and the obligation is being reinstated beginning Saturday, June 26, and Sunday, June 27. For the full statement, click here.
CURRENT SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil Mass - 5:00 pm in Church
Sunday Outdoor Mass - 9:30 am (rain or shine)*
Sunday Mass – 12 Noon (live-streamed) in Church
Weekday Masses are offered Monday thru Saturday at 8:30 am in Church
On Saturdays, Confessions are heard from 9:00 to 10:00 am.
*Outdoor option for 9:30 am Mass on Sundays - Outdoor Mass is celebrated by the pastor on the steps of the portico. Parishioners and guests may remain in their cars or set-up lawn chairs for the duration of the Mass. In case the weather does not cooperate, the outdoor Mass may pivot to an indoor live-streamed event. The faithful may choose to remain in their cars and view the live-streamed Mass through the Holy Cross Church GP You Tube Channel. Extra-ordinary ministers of the Eucharist will bring communion to you in your cars.
Eucharistic Adoration at Holy Cross
Every Friday from 3 to 6 pm in the main Church.
Come spend some time with Our Lord!
Poor Box – THIS WEEK’S POOR BOX will benefit our Holy Cross SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE. A monthly poor box collection continues to be designated to support the mission of the Social Concerns Committee to assist the needy in our community, primarily in our Parish. Typically, it is the first Poor Box collection of each month. The ability to handle requests received for some limited financial assistance is dependent on these monthly collections as the only means of support. Donations to the Social Concerns Committee can be made at any time and directed to the Rectory. Make your check payable to Holy Cross Church with the designation of Social Concerns on your check. Holy Cross parishioners continue to be very generous and for that we are very grateful! Next week’s Poor Box goes to Martha’s Table.
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
For the Intention of the Ilagan Family - June 7 (M), 8:30 am
Maria Cristina Riva Chavez - June 8 (T), 8:30 am
Lucia Love - June 9 (W), 8:30 am
John Finn - June 10 (Th), 8:30 am
For the Intention of the Kratz Family - June 11 (F), 8:30 pm
John and Amy Watkins (living) - June 12 (Sat), 8:30 am
Dr. Peter Francis Kratz, III - June 12 (Sat), 5:00 pm
Thomas Fitzgibbons (living) - June 13 (Sun), 9:30 am
For all those in our parish who have been unable to - June 13 (Sun), 12 Noon
attend Mass at Holy Cross and who must worship virtually and receive the Eucharist spiritually, during this unprecedented health crisis, including the residents of Brighton Gardens
To schedule a Mass intention, email parishsecretary@hcrosschurch.org or call the office at 301-942-1020.
Please keep the sick and elderly of our parish in your prayers, especially…
Melinda Alde, Evelyn Articola, Marion Ballmann, Teresa Basso, Jerry Behnke, Albena Borisnova-Petkova, Molly Chantry, Michael Chettle, Joyce Choi, Tom Choi, Young Choi, Luis Alejandro Guevara Coello, Dorothy Conroy, Ray Dean, Barbara Desiderati, David Dikel, John Paul Durkin, Karen Dwyer, Joe Gagnon, Kathleen Gagnon, Tracy Saur Gellerman, Demos Georganas, Myriam Gonzalez, Michael Gouzoulis, Susan Grisby, Eileen Haggart, Betty Harrison, Rudy Heglas, Carlos Hernandez, Evan Hilburn, Stephanie, Hipsley, Charlene Hubbard, Bo Hunt, Dan Johnson, Doris Johnson, Jamie Kaufmann, Mary Lee Leonard, Mary Dell Levandosky, Ray Mitchell, Palmer Jane McNeill, Markie Mlynarczyk, Richard Moellering, Jr., Nelson de Melo Dias Neto, Ellen Noland, Estelle Nguyen, William Nothwang, Sue Numrich, Silvia Pugliese, Dan Reinwall, Jessica Ringler, David Roberts, Alma Rusley, Nancy Rupertus, Rebecca Shepherd, Patricia Spodnik, David Skola, Patricia Tellish, and Philip Wright.
Please contact the Parish Secretary to add or remove someone’s name from our list.
Remember in Prayer those who have died especially Gregoria de Guzman Banez, aunt of Michelle Ilagan.
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen
Ways for you to continue your support of Holy Cross.
Donate by credit card via Faith Direct -
Visit our website: www.hcrosschurch.org. Click on One-Time Donation.
You may make a donation without enrolling in Faith Direct or,
if you are enrolled in Faith Direct, you can choose to not log in.
Enroll in e-giving at www.faithdirect.net or call 866-507-8757 (toll-free)
to use your bank account or credit card for recurring donations.
Use your bank's bill pay.
Drop off your contribution in the mail slot in the Rectory office door
Mail your offering to Holy Cross Church, PO Box 249, Garrett Park, MD 20896
Thank you!