Collect Series: Solemnity of Body and Blood of Christ ( Corpus Christi).

Collect Series

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

 COLLECT

 

The Collect of the Mass for the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ reads as follows:

 

O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of Your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood
that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of Your redemption. 
Who lives and reign with God the Father
in the unity o the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during this week, the following reflection questions emerged: 

1. What is my attitude to the Eucharist- do I believe in the real presence in the Eucharist?
2. Why is the Eucharist linked to Christ's suffering and death and how does that link impact on our lives?
3. How grateful am I for the salvation Christ has won for me and how does that manifest itself in my life?
4. What is the peace of the kingdom and how might it be experienced in my life this week?
5. How might I increase my faith and love of Jesus truly present in the Eucharist?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Luke 9:11–17 recounts the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, one of the most beloved and symbol-rich Gospel episodes

There are a number of interesting points to highlight in this Gospel.  However,  the following line is key to this Gospel.

“You give them something to eat.”

This line strikes at the heart of discipleship. The apostles see the problem which for them is thousands of hungry people. They look to Jesus to solve it. However, Jesus turns it around: you give them something to eat. This is not only about food. It is about responsibility, participation, and trust.

Jesus invites the disciples to be part of the miracle, even when they feel unequipped. That same invitation comes to us. We often think, “I do not have enough—time, energy, skill, resources.” Yet Christ works through our little offerings—our “five loaves and two fish”—when we hand them over in faith.

 

Other interesting aspects to highlight in this Gospel include:

1. Eucharistic Overtones

• Jesus takes, blesses, breaks, and gives—the same verbs used at the Last Supper (Luke 22:19). This foreshadows the institution of the Eucharist and the ongoing feeding of God’s people.
• The miracle is not just physical—it points to the spiritual nourishment that Jesus alone can provide.

2. Abundance from Scarcity

• The miracle shows that divine grace is never stingy. Not only were all fed, but there were twelve baskets left over—a powerful image of God's abundant provision.
• The number twelve is symbolic: twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles—this miracle touches on God’s plan for the fullness of His people.

3. A Shared Meal in the Wilderness

• The setting is a deserted place, recalling the Israelites in the desert and God's provision of manna. Jesus becomes the new Moses—leading, teaching, and feeding the people.

4. The Role of the Disciples

• Jesus does not distribute the food directly. He gives it to the disciples to give to the people. This shows how the ministry of the Church continues Christ’s mission. It continues on today through our priests who distribute Holy Communion to their congregation and through the Eucharistic Ministers.
• The cooperation of the disciples mattered. They organize the people, distribute the food, and gather the leftovers. The miracle was given by Jesus but Jesus allowed it to flow through their hands. Jesus still allows His miracles to flow through our hands too if we cooperate.

5. A Hidden Lesson on Trust and Surrender

• The disciples first respond with worry: “We have only five loaves…” They see limitations. Jesus sees possibilities.
• The miracle happened after the disciples obeyed. Obedience unlocked abundance.

 

Personal Reflection Questions

• Where in my life am I being asked to “give them something to eat”? What do I see as my five loaves and two fish?
• Am I holding back because I think I do not have enough?
• Do I trust that when I offer my gifts to Jesus, He can multiply them?

 

REFLECTION.

The Feast of the Body and blood of Christ is a wonderful feast as it focuses on the unique gift of Himself given for us in the Eucharist.  On this wonderful feast we have a chance to renew our love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. As Catholics we believe that when we receive Holy Communion, Christ is truly present because of the words of consecration said by the priest at Mass although the appearance of the bread and wine remains. 

 

Many countries traditionally keep Corpus Christi on Thursday, but in Australia the celebration is moved to Sunday to make it more accessible and pastorally meaningful.  This approach mirrors similar adjustments made in other countries (e.g., the U.S., Canada, Ireland, England & Wales) targeting pastoral inclusion.