Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ: June 11, 2023

 

On today’s Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, commonly known as the Feast of Corpus Christi, I’d like to talk about … money.

Shocked? You shouldn’t be: the connection between the celebration of the Eucharist and the generosity of those attending goes back to the first Christians.

But the connection between the worship of God and the offering of gifts goes back much farther than that. Sacrificial offerings are part of the history of almost all religions, even paganism.

The chosen people were no exception. Recently at weekday Mass we heard the Book of Sirach say, “Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford” (cf. Sirach 35:1-15).

Many centuries earlier, the Book of Genesis tells the story of Abraham offering the priest-king Melchizedek one tenth of all he had, in gratitude for victory over his enemies.

The command to offer the first fruits of the harvest in the Temple appears in the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy (Ex. 23:19; Dt. 26:1–11). We see the offering of grain and bread in Leviticus (2:14; 23:9) alongside peace offerings or communion sacrifices of animals.

Returning to the early Church, we all know that the first Christians owned everything in common, sharing their goods and possessions as they met in their houses for the breaking of bread.

Before I continue let me tell you about a priest who followed a strict rule during almost 40 years as a pastor—he spoke once a year about money, no more, no less. That’s what he’d been taught to in the seminary. When he retired, he overheard someone say, “I’ll miss his sermons, even though he was always talking about money”!

To be honest, I’d consider it a compliment if someone said that about me, because I haven’t talked enough about this subject. And I think I’ve made it clear that those who think that priests shouldn’t talk about money haven’t got a biblical leg to stand on.

But to those who still find it a bit shocking to hear me preaching about money on this Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, I want to point you to the tabernacle. Of all the changes to the church, from the new meeting rooms, outdoor deck, beautiful new doors, etc., nothing’s more important than what you see behind me: the renovations that placed the tabernacle in the heart of our sanctuary.

The tabernacle housing the real presence of Christ whom we revere on this feast day is now at the center of our attention, second only to the altar where we celebrate his saving sacrifice.

So, what’s the location of the tabernacle got to do with money?

I’ll answer the question with a question. How were the extensive sanctuary renovations paid for?

The same way everything else I’ve mentioned was paid for: by your generosity to Project Advance. We didn’t draw on a savings account, nor were there any huge individual benefactors. Our annual fundraising campaign funded each of the projects I’ve mentioned and many others. 

Although the tabernacle is easy to point to while I’m talking about fundraising on this Eucharistic feast day, let’s not forget that Project Advance has also supported the growth of our spiritual communion with one another. By funding evangelization, youth ministry, and community-building projects it has helped call us together in communion with God and with one another.

On top of this, the annual campaign has funded much of our charitable work and giving. It has helped refugees, needy people on the North Shore, women in crisis, Catholic education, Pro-Life, and many other good works. This, too, is connected to our Sunday celebration.

Have you ever wondered why the deacon stands beside the priest at Mass? The first deacons were ordained to aid with the daily distribution of food to the poor when the Apostles, who presided at the Eucharist, could no longer manage. The deacon at the altar reminds us of the connection between our worship and our charity (cf. Acts 6:1-6).

Today I hope we will “consider not only what Jesus is offering us in the gift of the Eucharist but to also consider our response to that gift.”

As the American Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg has written, “When we receive Communion and say ‘amen’ to the Body of Christ we are not only professing our belief in the reality of the Eucharist but are also stating our commitment to live that reality in what we say and do” (Come Follow Me, p. 138).

There are countless ways to live that reality—from the smallest acts of charity to the greatest of sacrifices. Today I am just saying that your generosity to Project Advance is one of them and that it’s a form of charity that, like the Mass itself, is not individual but part of our common response to Christ.

I’m not sure why Project Advance has had a slow start this year. Our projects are certainly attractive: in the first place, the campaign will subsidize the eighteen young adults who are going to World Youth Day in Portugal. It’s pretty well unaffordable otherwise.

It will also support the Talitha Koum Society and Spectrum Mothers Support Society in their work with women who are in recovery or dealing with the challenges after childbirth.

We will acknowledge the important place that Alpha, CCO, and Divine Renovation that played in the renewal of our parish by donations to these ministries.

And, if the campaign takes off, we will be able to set aside funds for the replacement of the tired and fraying carpets in the church.

A wise priest never tries to make people feel guilty about the level of their giving. Only gratitude fuels Christian stewardship. As Psalm 116 asks: “How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?”

The answer is we can’t! We can’t. But we can at least do our best to show God where our heart is.