The Solemnity of Corpus Christi – or more precisely, Corpus et Sanguis Christi – The Body and Blood of Christ – We not only receive his body at communion but his blood – and blood holds particular significance. – For blood, in traditional thought, is the essence of life – The Red Cross, in blood drives, asks people to donate blood, saying that it is “the gift of life” – for donating blood is to give life – to spill blood? That is to kill – for separating flesh, and blood is to remove life.
Blood not only represents the very essence of life – but oneself – When someone is utterly devoted to a sports team, we say they bleed those colors – they bleed maize and blue – Far more seriously, we are bound to our families and kin by blood – For their blood runs through us. With more sinister connotations, one can “sign one’s name in blood” – giving one’s self entirely over to the contract.
In war, there is destruction, violence, and death – The consequences of sin and death – paid for with the blood of soldiers - Soldiers can be said to be bound to their comrades in blood.
The importance of blood is not new today – it runs all through the Old Testament. Because blood is the essence of life, Jewish dietary laws specify that one is to never consume the blood of an animal. The koshering process of meat is meant to remove any traces of remaining blood.
God gave covenants to his people, binding them to himself – sealed with blood – the sacrifice of animals. – The essence of life is, at least ritually, found in the blood. – Further, In the sacrificial offerings of the old Temple – sins were forgiven by blood – by sacrificing an animal – the cost of sin must be paid for by blood – for death is the consequence of sins.
Yet none of this is enough – The Red Cross calls for blood donations, saying to give the gift of life. Donating blood is to be commended and encouraged – but any life it provides is temporary – for death still comes – no one avoids death - For sin still holds.
Throughout the Old Testament, there was animal sacrifice after animal sacrifice – again and again – for no number of animals was enough - the blood of animals cannot resolve the problem of sin – it cannot provide the life lost by sin – it cannot overcome death. – Sin requires the blood of one far greater – It requires the blood of Christ – the Son of God took on flesh – poured out for the forgiveness of sins.
If one looks at the Divine Mercy image – there is red and white coming from the side of Christ – blood and water – the fount of mercy on the cross – blood poured out – Bringing salvation.
And not only was the blood of Christ spilled for the forgiveness of our sins – but it has been given to us to receive – His blood is the essence of life – the blood donations to the Red Cross allow for blood transfusions that save lives – but only temporarily. Without Christ – well, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.”
Yet with the blood of Christ? – “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” – We are bound to Christ by blood – Him who has risen from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
Christ’s blood was spilled – but bring the forgiveness of sins – but in the resurrection, Christ’s body and blood are no longer separated - for one who is alive, blood and flesh arranger be separated – when we receive communion – either under the form of – we receive the Totus Christus – the whole Christ – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
It really is, as St Paul says, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?”
And when we process with the Blessed Sacrament in procession – as we will after the 10:30 Mass – we process with the whole Christ – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – walking with him, the one we are bound to in blood.
And so, on this Solemnity Corpus et Sanguis Christi – The Body and Blood of Christ – let us take some time to consider the Most Precious Blood of Christ – that his blood was spilled for our sins – but even more that we are united to him in blood, the essence of life – receiving him in communion when we receive Christ – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
Some to recall and contemplate – perhaps in the words of the Collect prayer for the Votive Mass of the Most Precious Blood.
O God, who by the Precious Blood of your Only Begotten Son have redeemed the whole world, preserve in us the work of your mercy, so that ever honouring the mystery of our salvation, we may merit to obtain its fruits. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.