From pastor’s desk on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi 2022
On May 13, 1981, Pope Saint John Paul II was mortally shot by the assassin Mehmet Ali Ağca. The late pope was struck four times and, according to the assassin’s own account, he should not have survived; John Paul II should have died on the spot. Nonetheless, he lived and attributed his survival to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as he later related, “It was a Mother's hand that guided the bullet's path.” A number of surgeries were performed on him and he had to undergo a long rehabilitation. Even when he came back to his ministry, the late pope was scarred for the rest of his life and often needed treatment and pills for his pain and tremors.
Saint John Paul II needed treatment both physically and spiritually. Not denying the need for physical treatment and therapy, he always emphasized the need for spiritual nourishment particularly through daily reception of the Eucharist and adoration. It was in the Eucharist that John Paul II was finding his strength and rejuvenation, meanwhile in the blessed Mother he was finding his consolation. Despite his extremely busy schedule as the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church, John Paul II spent at least one hour in daily adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament. By doing this he not only preached, but also demonstrated that he firmly believed in the Real Presence of the Lord in the Eucharist. John Paul II never missed time with Jesus in the Eucharist even on his long and extremely packed apostolic trips. He was fixed on the Eucharist to the point that even when all the eyes and cameras were on him, he remained calm and completely steeped in adoration, for “meeting” Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament was more important than the busyness and demands of the world.
We know that our world is broken and deeply wounded and it needs healing. However, because the wound is so deep—it is a mortal wound inflicted on us by the devil—no human means can heal it. We must apply the Divine medicine in order to experience recovery from it. The medicine is Christ Himself on the cross and then present in the Eucharist. It is the Eucharist that is the greatest medicine for our broken world. Let the words and example of Saint John Paul II encourage us to foster our desire for an encounter of Christ in the Eucharist. But let us remember that to receive this medicine some surgeries must be done first, that is, we must repent and turn away from sin: we go to confession to be “operated” and then to receive the bread of immortality. The sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) and the Eucharist are inseparable, they go hand in hand.
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, popularly known as the Corpus Christi, we too are invited to meet Christ and adore Him in the Blessed Sacrament in order to rejuvenate, heal our wounds, and find strength for our daily tasks.
The Solemnity of the Corpus Christi was initiated in Europe in response to the lack of faith in the Real Presence. This celebration was to foster the faith in Christ and to help the faithful to see that Jesus is really here with us. For that reason,
beautiful outdoor processions were organized as a public manifestation of our faith in Christs’ presence in the Eucharist. On those occasions people decorated their homes and streets and dress up in their best clothing. It was to honor the Lord Jesus who would “pass” through the streets of their cities, towns, and villages. People did this because they believed that Christ was really there with His people and that He wants to be with them and to bless them on their earthly journey.
As we too try to grow in faith and feel the closeness of God, let us take to heart the words of John Paul II from his encyclical letter Ecclesia de eucharistía:
The worship of the Eucharist outside of the Mass is of inestimable value for the life of the Church. This worship is strictly linked to the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice. The presence of Christ under the sacred species reserved after Mass—a presence which lasts as long as the species of bread and of wine remain—derives from the celebration of the sacrifice and is directed towards communion, both sacramental and spiritual. It is the responsibility of Pastors to encourage, also by their personal witness, the practice of Eucharistic adoration, and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in particular, as well as prayer of adoration before Christ present under the Eucharistic species.
It is pleasant to spend time with him, to lie close to his breast like the Beloved Disciple (cf. Jn 13:25) and to feel the infinite love present in his heart. If in our time Christians must be distinguished above all by the “art of prayer,” how can we not feel a renewed need to spend time in spiritual converse, in silent adoration, in heartfelt love before Christ present in the Most Holy Sacrament? How often, dear brothers and sisters, have I experienced this, and drawn from its strength, consolation and support!
May you experience the healing presence of our Lord Jesus. Have a blessed week.
Fr. Janusz Mocarski, pastor