Homily for Corpus Christi: The Real Presence of Christ

Dear brothers and sisters, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally known as Corpus Christi. This feast honours Jesus Christ really, truly, and substantially present under the humble appearances of bread and wine. We rejoice that the Lord who walked among us and gave Himself on the Cross remains with us in the Eucharist – the “source and summit of the Christian life”. Our faith tells us that when we look upon the consecrated host and chalice, we behold Emmanuel – God with us – in a unique and saving way.

Jesus’ promise of the Eucharist in Scripture is clear and astounding. In the synagogue at Capernaum, He taught, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven… and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh” (Jn 6:51). When many listeners murmured in disbelief, Jesus did not soften His claim. Instead, He said again: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you”. Some found this a “hard saying” and walked away, but Peter remained, trusting the Lord: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68). At the Last Supper, Jesus then fulfilled this promise: taking bread and wine He solemnly declared, “This is my Body, which is given for you… This cup is the new covenant in my Blood”. In that moment He instituted the Blessed Sacrament as the abiding memorial of His sacrifice.

From the earliest days, the Church took Jesus at His word. The Apostle Paul handed on the truth that when we eat this bread and drink this cup, we “proclaim the Lord’s death” and partake in His Body and Blood (cf. 1 Cor 10:16, 11:26). The great Church father St. Augustine urged believers to approach the Eucharist with awe, saying: “Recognise in this bread what hung on the cross, and in this chalice what flowed from His side”. In other words, the same Jesus who suffered and rose is truly here in the Sacrament.

Over the centuries, the Church’s understanding of this mystery was deepened and defended. Our Catholic faith found language to express this miracle as Transubstantiation – meaning that the substance of bread and wine is changed into the substance of Christ’s Body and Blood, even though the appearances (the “accidents”) remain. Thus, after the consecration, it is no longer bread and wine, but actually Jesus: really, truly, and substantially present. The Council of Trent in the 16th century reaffirmed this truth in beautiful clarity, teaching that in the Eucharist “our Lord Jesus Christ, true God and man, is truly, really, and substantially contained” under the visible forms of bread and wine. The Catechism echoes that “the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained” in this Sacrament, meaning Jesus is wholly present – Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Though our senses perceive only simple food and drink, faith knows that Godhead is here hidden. In the words of St. Thomas Aquinas’ hymn Adoro Te Devote: “Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore, masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more”. What appears to be ordinary bread is in fact extraordinary Love – Jesus Christ alive among us.

The Eucharist is Jesus’s gift of Love, the Sacrament of His Body given up and His Blood poured out for us. When we adore Christ in the host or receive Him in Holy Communion, we touch the very heartbeat of God’s love. How blessed we are! As St. Maximilian Kolbe once remarked, “If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion”. The angels behold God’s glory, yet even they marvel that we frail humans can taste and see the Lord so intimately. Let us approach the altar with reverence and thanksgiving and allow the Lord to transform our hearts. One medieval saint, Angela of Foligno, said that if we paused to ponder the Eucharist more deeply, “the thought of Christ’s love for us would transform the coldness of our hearts into a fire of love and gratitude”. Indeed, Jesus is here in the Sacrament to warm our hearts with His presence.

On this feast of Corpus Christi, as we honour the Real Presence of Christ, let us rekindle our devotion. May we always recognise Jesus truly here among us and centre our lives on Him. When you receive Holy Communion today, remember: you are receiving the very Lord who died and rose for you. Take a moment in silent prayer to welcome Him with love, for He is personally present within you. Entrust to Him all your worries and hopes.

Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). He walks with us on our journey, feeds us with His own life, and strengthens us to carry our crosses. Let us depart this celebration with hearts burning like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, who knew the Lord in “the breaking of the bread” (Lk 24:35). May our lives proclaim what we believe – that Christ is truly with us in the Blessed Sacrament. And may this truth fill us with lasting joy, courage, and love. Amen.

Archbishop Felix Gibbins OSB Cam