Feast of Corpus Christi (Cycle B)

In today's Gospel we learn about the last supper Jesus had with His disciples before giving up his life for us. It is at the last supper where Jesus instituted the holy sacrament of the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of the Catholic faith.

Holy Spirit, fill my heart and illuminate my mind. Help me to hear and understand God's message today. Help me to recognise when God is trying to speak to me in my daily life. Amen

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover? "He sent two of his disciples and said to them,"Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the master of the house,'The Teacher says, "Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?" 'Then he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there. "The disciples then went off, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. While they were eating, 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. Amen, I say to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Say: Most of us eat three meals a day and we don’t give it much thought. But meals don’t just happen. They require planning and preparation. Ask: What are some things that must be done to prepare daily meals? (planning menus, shopping, cooking, setting the table, cleaning up afterward, and so on) What additional things might be required if we are planning a special holiday meal? (invitations, decorations, seating arrangements, and so on)

Say: In today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus give instructions to his disciples for preparing a special meal for the Jewish celebration of Passover. We also hear some details about the meal that Jesus shares with his disciples; this meal is called the Last Supper. 

Ask: What do we do today to remember this Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples? (We celebrate the Eucharist.) What preparations are made so that we can celebrate the Eucharist each week? (The worship space is prepared; the priest prepares the homily; lectors, altar servers, and Eucharistic ministers are assigned and prepared.)

Say: Even if we don’t have an official role at the Sunday Eucharist, we should prepare ourselves for this celebration. Ask: What are some things that we might do to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Eucharist? (Read and reflect upon the Sunday readings, especially the Gospel; keep the Eucharistic fast; make ourselves present and attentive at the Sunday Eucharist.)

Conclude in prayer together, inviting each child to make a commitment to do one thing this week to better prepare for his or her celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday. Pray together for God’s help to keep this commitment by praying the Lord’s Prayer.

Father in heaven, for the conversion of sinners, we give you today, all that we think and do and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen