Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Precious Body and Blood of the Lord formerly known as Corpus Christi. This Solemnity is not only a reminder of the real presence of the Risen Lord in the Eucharist, but also an opportunity for us to renew our love, devotion, and commitment to the Eucharist.

For the past two years our worship has been impacted by the pandemic. To ensure that we continue to preserve the integrity of the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of our Christian life, we look for different avenues to allow the community to participate in our daily and Sunday Masses. Virtual Masses were and are still offered and some continue to celebrate in an outdoor setting.

Although we are now allowed to celebrate indoors, I realize there are still many who feel uncomfortable in a large gathering. In response to what we are experiencing, today, the Conference of Bishops in the United States is launching a 3-year process called Eucharistic Revival. The National Eucharistic Revival is the joyful, expectant, grassroots response of the entire Catholic Church in the U.S. to renew our love for the Eucharist.

In the next 3 years, there will be conferences and gatherings highlighting the significance of the Eucharist. The hope of the revival is to help us deepen our relationship with the Lord through the Eucharist. God prepares the banquet for all of us every week. He invites us to listen to Him in the scriptures and nourishes us in word and in sacrament. He gives Himself to us again and again as the food of life to heal and strengthen us as we journey, especially during these very precarious times.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents to all of us a God who satisfies our spiritual hungers and thirsts. He quenches our longing for welcome, understanding, forgiveness, and love. He invites everyone, yes everyone, who is open to enter into a life of communion with Him. God does not require anything from us, nor does He judge us of what we have done, but only a heart open, ready to enter into a friendship with Him.

Our world is hurting. We all need healing and Jesus Christ invites us to return to the source and summit of our faith—His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist.