The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
	A new name for this feast, long known as Corpus Christi or “Body of Christ,” points to an important recovery of Communion from the shared chalice, the Precious Blood, in the Roman Catholic liturgy. For many centuries, only the priest received from the chalice. Now, over the last forty years, the cup has been offered more frequently to the faithful. Sadly, perhaps because it is not offered at all Masses, or because people are free to pass by the offered cup, it can be seen by some as a “take it or leave it” option.
	Some important meanings surface, however, when we drink from the common cup, such as our desire to participate in the pouring out of Christ’s love. Bread is the staff of life, eaten by necessity even in times of pain. Wine, on the other hand, is the mark of festivity, a pledge of joy, a sign of unity between our altar table and the banquet feast of heaven. The center of the Gospel today is Jesus speaking of the pouring out of his blood, and his offer of a cup of blessing to be shared as a sign of his love. There is no better response than to take and drink, and no better way to mark this feast.
—Rev. James Field