Corpus Christi Sunday and Women's Day at St. E's ~ by Ronnie Archer

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Gn 14:18-20

Ps 110:1-4

1 Cor 11:23-26

Lk 9:11b-17

The theme of the readings for this Feast Day is one of spiritual and physical nourishment.  In Genesis, Melchizedek, high priest-king, brought out Bread and Wine and saluted and blessed Abram (Abraham).

Paul, in the Corinthians reading, was trying to "correct" some of the discourtesies that the people had displayed during the celebrations of the Lord's Supper, reminding them of the Lord's Words the night before He was handed over..."This is my body, this cup is the new covenant in my blood... Do this in remembrance of me."

Luke's gospel gives the account of the crowd of people who came to hear Jesus speak about the kingdom of God, and heal those in need of healing.  As day turned to dusk, the Apostles suggested that the crowd be dismissed, knowing they should find lodging and provisions.  They were instructed to have the people sit in groups of fifty.  There were only five loaves of bread and two fish; Jesus took the loaves and fish, looked to heaven, blessed them, broke them and the disciples distributed them among the crowd, and all ate and were satisfied... with fragments left over.

The Lord continues to call us, as we continue to be Jesus People.  When we receive Communion, we are affirming that we believe in the presence of Jesus in the consecrated bread and wine, as the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.  The Lord invites us to break bread and be a people on a journey together.  We are united with good people around the world.

Corpus Christi Sunday was also Women's Day.  Sr. Jane Nesmith was our speaker.  Sr. Jane is the Pastoral Life Coordinator at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Evansville, Indiana, a position she has held for 16 years.

Sr. Jane began her talk by commenting on how chauvinists and feminists might describe a "woman's place."  She said biblically, they both would probably be incorrect.  God's Word does not conform to "worldly" opinions.

When God created man, He knew His creation was not complete, so God made woman, as the climax of His creation.  She joked about how, after God made man, He said:  "I can do better than this!" ... which drew laughter from the congregation.

In cultures of past times, women were considered property and even today in some parts of the world, that still exists.  Sr. Jane said some think a woman's place is in the home; others think a woman's place is anywhere men are not.  God created man and woman to be helpmates to each other, in marriage, each giving 100%, not 50-50, as some tend to think.

God made us to be one in Him as He and the Father are one.  Jesus came so that the world would be united as one.

Paul wasn't liked by many feminists because of some scriptures where he alludes to women "being silent", for example,1 Cor 14:34.  Sr. Jane said that Paul was not speaking generally, but individually.  He had a purpose for those comments,saying the women might not have been speaking the truth or in tongues that could not be understood by all.

Jesus was "ahead of His time" in dealing with women.  He had women in His company, such as Mary Magdalen, Mary who chose to sit at His feet, rather than be in the kitchen with her sister, as her sister Martha thought.  Jesus told Martha that Mary had "chosen the better part" because He was preparing HER for ministry.  Jesus revealed Himself to the Samaritan woman; women were the last to leave His cross and the first to know of His Resurrection.

We don't gather to make a point for either the chauvinists or the feminists.  We gather to make a point for GOD.  Wherever and whatever GOD leads a woman to do is fine.  If they want to be quiet, a leader, speak boldly, it is alright.

God needs us to feed the multitudes.  Sr. Jane reminded us that Jesus WANTS us to TELL OTHERS EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT REJECT IT, THAT "I LOVE THEM."... Whatever excuses WE might give to not evangelize, GOD answers that HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR US.  He has all the positives for OUR negatives.

All people of God can walk tall among any discrimination, because we know WHO we are and WHOSE we are.  We are challenged to keep responding to God's call to evangelize everywhere we are.

Sr. Jane ended her speech by singing, "I AM AVAILABLE".  It was such an inspiring speech.

Sr. Jane has written a book entitled, FEEDING THE MULTITUDES, which could be purchased after Mass, as well as another CD.



 ~ Image found at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish