John 6
This Sunday, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally called Corpus Christi, Jesus proclaims that it is necessary to eat the flesh and drink the blood of his own to receive eternal life. Most Catholics will have no question about this. But some may ask about those who did not know about Christ Jesus. They did not have a chance to receive the body and blood of Christ? Even St Joseph the foster father of Christ didn’t seem to have that opportunity. We all know this body and blood of Christ is not an actual body part and fluid of Jesus as Jesus himself instituted with bread and wine. We all know this is called the sacrament of the Eucharist. God brings his grace and salvation through the sacraments to the man. But the sacraments cannot bind God within themselves for his mercy and generosity. Although it is only through Christ Jesus through whom all humanity is saved, Christ Jesus is not also bound by the seven sacraments he has instituted. Beyond our imagination, Christ Jesus must have many ways to give those people who did not hear about him opportunities for eternal life.
But what about St Joseph? His case is not yet resolved. He knew very well Christ Jesus but seemed to have passed away before the sacraments were instituted. Or what about those catechumens under persecutions who were executed even before their baptism? They heard the gospel and accepted it but could not receive any sacrament before their death.
These holy people without having received the sacraments had the desire to be united with Christ Jesus. Their desire or disposition is enough for salvation, the Church has been teaching. The Church designates a special term for these people – the baptism of desire or the baptism of blood in the case of those martyred before baptism. St Joseph surely wanted to be united with his foster son in body and mind and heart. We see how faithfully he followed the voice of God’s messengers. He probably never received any sacrament but this non-baptized Christian is the patron saint of Canada.
Here we have to stop and reflect on the desire or disposition of our heart for the union with Christ Jesus and the sacraments. As we have discussed, the desire for the sacraments is the key to the proper effects of the sacraments. Judas Iscariot received the body and blood of Christ at the institution of the sacrament. What an honour to have the opportunity to receive Christ at the first celebration of the Eucharist! St John’s gospel writes that Jesus himself gave a morsel to Judas. But immediately after he received it, he went out to betray, hand Christ over to the hands of the Jews. Did Judas have the desire for salvation or the union with Christ?
For Catholics, the reception of Holy Communion is so critical. But all of us approach Christ with the same desire and disposition? If we all desire to be united in Christ, how are there so many divisions among us? Then the Eucharist is a sign of contradiction, not a symbol of the unity of Christ’s mystical body. If I desire Christ while despising other Christian brothers and sisters, isn’t it just a selfish aspiration to win a title of victory? How can I walk up to Christ with a heart infested with greed, lust, envy, or hatred? Wouldn’t it offend Christ more seriously than to stay away from him? Let us examine our hearts – let us see what we desire.
