I’d like to label this time of the Church Year, “Ordinary Time Plus.” You see, Pentecost, celebrated two weekends ago, ended the most glorious season of the Church Year, Easter, and prior to that Lent, and not too much before that Christmas and Advent. Believe it or not, there was even a brief blip of Ordinary Time in between all of that. That’s what we’re back to now: Ordinary Time. Like after all the work put into a grand celebration or an intense presentation at work, the ordinary days are a welcomed break. On the other hand, it’s also an excuse of a time to grow lax in joy or excitement as one day looks the same as the previous. There’s stability in the “norm” but also a lack of luster if not open to the whispers, surprises, and the unexpected extraordinary.
I think this idea translates to our faith as well. Sometimes in faith we’re really fired up about all of it, belief, prayer, evangelization, peace… and other day’s are just “meh, at least I made it to Mass this week.” And when it’s just one “green” weekend after another, what’s really exciting? It’s almost like we forget the grand celebrations... Just like we forget the rush of the roller coaster ride, or the joy in the 90th birthday party, or the giant smile after Anthony rode his two-wheeler for the first time. If we human beings weren’t constantly reminded of the goodness, the good times, or that we’re loved, we absolutely would “forget” the joy. It’s just human nature. This isn’t doctrine, nor dogma, but I think it’s why the Church gives us “Ordinary Time Plus” prior to the twenty-fourish weeks of green before we hit any major celebrations again (November 24th, Christ the King, to be exact). In “Ordinary Time Plus” we have the feast of the Most Holy Trinity, just celebrated, and today’s feast Corpus Christi. Two major feast days to kick-off Ordinary Time… two feast days promenaded to exaggerate the absolute truth that EVERY Mass is a celebration of the Most Holy Trinity, and EVERY Mass is a celebration of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ (Corpus Christi). We make these celebrations BIG in the hopes that we’ll carry and REMEMBER the reverence of Father, Son and Spirt every time we Cross ourselves; and the oneness with Christ every time we receive him.
Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi— the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Unlike the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Last supper which also includes washing of the feet, Triduum, agony in the garden, etc., this day solely focuses on Christ’s real and true presence in the Eucharist. On this day and since the 1200s, Catholics have processed the Eucharist throughout the neighborhoods as a sign of faith and an even more obvious reminder that piece of bread, that sip of wine isn’t just a symbol, but our God who doesn’t want to be just a memory, an image on a crucifix or holy card, or Words in a book, but an actual part of us; the “Source and Summit” as the church calls it, for our everyday existence. Whether or not it’s a great day, whether or not it’s a day filled with to-dos”, He’s with us, a part of us, and He love us in EVERY Eucharist. Because honestly, we need the weekly, if not daily, reminder!!! Happy Feast of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Thank you, Lord for this most precious gift!... A gift that makes every ordinary day extraordinary indeed! ~Sara