The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The assigned readings are Genesis 14:18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, and Luke 9:11B-17. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 110 (Psalm 110:1-4).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 110: You Are a Priest (Mark Haas)

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured.

As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, "Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here."

He said to them, "Give them some food yourselves."

They replied, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people." Now the men there numbered about five thousand.

Then he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty." They did so and made them all sit down. Then taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Body and Blood of Christ (June 23, 2019)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: The Body and Blood of Christ (June 23, 2019)

Community in Mission: esus Wants to Feed You! Corpus Christi (22 JUN 19)

Crossroads Initiative: Corpus Christi - Eucharist, The Body of Christ

The Deacon's Bench: Corpus Christi: 'It Is Astounding to Consider What Bread Can Become' (21 JUN 19)

The Sacred Page: Eucharist and Priesthood: The Feast of Corpus Christi (18 JUN 19)

The Sacred Page: The Body and the Blood of Christ (The Mass Readings Explained) (17 JUN 19)

St. Paul Center: Blessed and Given: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ

Word on Fire: Corpus Christi (Solemnities * Corpus Christi)

Catholic News Agency: Pope Francis: The Eucharist is Jesus Alive (21 JUN 19)

Sister Mary Madeline Todd, OP: Corpus Christi: Food for Our Deepest Hunger, Strength We Need for the Journey (21 JUN 19)

Spirituality of the Readings: Why Go to Church? (Body and Blood of Christ)

In Exile: Eucharist as God's Physical Embrace (Body and Blood of Christ)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Paul on the Lord's Supper (Body and Blood of Christ)

The Word Engaged: In the Beginning Was Covenant (Body and Blood of Christ)

 Historical Cultural Context: Meals (Body and Blood of Christ)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by John Chrysostom (Body and Blood of Christ)