Thoughts for the Day

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Many years ago when I worked in Suffolk I had a patron. Patrons can be individuals or organisations and they are responsible for choosing a priest for a particular parish and suggesting their name to the Bishop. My patron was Emmanuel College, Cambridge. A couple of years after my appointment I was invited by the College to preach at their Corpus Christi Service, and it reminded me of how important this festival which celebrates the Eucharist (ie the Communion Service or Mass) has been for centuries. We remember this Service that Jesus gave us on Maundy Thursday, but as this is the day before Good Friday, it was thought better to remember it again on a different day. Corpus Christi was therefore introduced as a major feast day in the week after Trinity Sunday, and from the beginning involved processions both in church and in the streets. The service has always been elaborate, and is based on one created by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274 AD).

Corpus Christi at Emmanuel College was a wonderful Service with glorious music sung by an amazing choir, all the clergy in elaborate robes, and with much incense. Although this was not my tradition, it was nevertheless a truly lovely experience to celebrate the Eucharist.

Perhaps we sometimes take this Service that Jesus told His disciples to do 'in remembrance of him' for granted, as we celebrate it each week!

Lord Jesus,
You commanded us to bread bread and drink wine
to remember Your loving act of sacrifice made for us.
May we not take the Eucharist for granted,
but ask You to give us a fresh perspective
on the Service we celebrate each week.
Amen.