Homily Blog, June 11, 2023
Corpus Cristi Sunday
My niece who lives out of state one Sunday after trying her best to get her three small kids ready for Mass, she and her husband pulled up to the church parking lot late. As they were walking into church, they spotted this message on the sign in front.
It read, “If you’re reading this, you are late to Mass. Know that at Communion you are invited to come forward not to receive Communion but with your arms crossed. Thank you.”
I’m not sure if this was one of those times that my niece was up half the night with a sick kid but, I do know this, after reading the sign, my niece was fuming. “Father, do you know what it’s like trying to get three screaming kids to church on time? I don’t think so!”
Yep, the sign seem a bit harsh. Yet, I get it. Celebrating Eucharist is one of the most sacred things we do as Catholics. So, let’s not get sloppy about it, like getting in the habit of coming late to Mass. The sign was the pastor’s way of reminding people of that.
Yet, the messaging on the sign raises an interesting question. When are we deserving of communion and when are they not? For example, the sign could say, “If you are reading this and you have gossiped this week know that at Communion you are invited to come forward not to receive Communion but with your hands crossed. Thank you.”
You get the point. If we wanted to, we could fill in the blank with more serious matters that many of us have been guilty of at times. So, when are we deserving of receiving and when are we not? It’s an interesting question but is it the right question? What comes to mind for me is what Pope Francis once said. “Communion is not a prize for the perfect but a healing balm for the wounded.”
If Communion were “a prize for the perfect” then every Catholic church could have the same sign in front. “If you are reading this and you weren’t perfect this week maybe next week you will be, and Communion will be your prize.”
But if Communion is the healing balm for the wounded, then as Jesus tells us, the sign in front might read, “Come to me all you who labor and aren’t perfect. Take my yoke and receive from me, my body, my blood, and I will refresh your weary souls. Come and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart.”
And at the bottom of the sign it would read. “By the way, do your best to show up on time. But if the kids put up a fuss, we’ll understand. We’re just glad you’re here.” So, on this Corpus Cristi Sunday, I’m just glad you’re here. Thanks for the effort you made to celebrate with us today the healing balm of Jesus.
