Jesus said: Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each
Luke 9:14
Begin with a few moments of quiet.
The intention is to open yourself to the presence of God within you and among those gathered.
Invite all present to sit comfortably.
When sitting comfortably, take three deep breaths, as you breathe in feel your lungs filling all the way up, when they are full slowly release your breath and feel your lungs emptying out fully. Repeat this three times.
Now return to breathing normally and make the sign of the cross:
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Invite each person present to take a few moments to reflect on:
Where in the past week did I encounter God in my life?
Where in the past week did I inhibit God in my life?
Allow time in quiet for this and then, after a few moments, invite those present to share on this, if they are comfortable to do so.
If you like to have some quiet music playing during this click below.
Introduce the Gospel
On this Sunday we celebrate Corpus Christi – the Body of Christ
Jesus himself practised open table fellowship, to express God’s unconditional love and acceptance. When St Paul wrote to the Corinthians about the Lord’s Supper, he had to remind them that the sacrament is meant to be a communion among all who celebrate it and is meant to have a practical affect in our lives. As Benedict XVI wrote:
A Eucharist which does not pass over into the concrete practice of love is essentially fragmented (God is Love).
Read the Gospel – Luke 9:11-17
Read the Gospel aloud, even if you are on your own.
Jesus made the crowds welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing.
It was late afternoon when the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms round about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go ourselves and buy food for all these people.’ For there were about five thousand men. But he said to his disciples, ‘Get them to sit down in parties of about fifty.’ They did so and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; then he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd. They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps remaining were collected they filled twelve baskets.
Reflect on the Gospel
Sit quietly now for a few moments and allow the images created by hearing the Gospel to emerge. Use the quietening music again if you wish
A Reflection on Eucharist by R. Voight
He was old,
tired,
and sweaty,
pushing his homemade cart down the alley,
stopping now and then to poke around in somebody’s garbage.
I wanted to tell him about EUCHARIST
But the look in his eyes,
the despair on his face,
the hopelessness of somebody else’s life in his cart,
Told me to forget it,
So I smiled, said “Hi” — and gave him EUCHARIST.
She was cute,
nice build,
a little too much paint,
Wobbly on her feet as she slid from her barstool,
and on the make.
“No, thanks, not tonight,” — and I gave her EUCHARIST.
She lived alone,
her husband dead,
her family gone,
And she talked at you,
not to you.
words,
endless words,
spewed out.
So I listened — and gave her EUCHARIST.
Downtown is nice,
Lights change from red to green,
and back again,
Flashing blues,
pinks,
and oranges.
I gulped them in Said,
“Thank you, God” and made them EUCHARIST.
I laughed at myself,
And told myself,
“You, with all your sin,
and all your selfishness,
I forgive you,
I accept you,
I love you.”
It’s nice, and so necessary to give yourself EUCHARIST.
My God, when will we ever learn —
You cannot talk EUCHARIST —
you cannot Philosophize about it.
YOU DO IT.
You don’t dogmatize EUCHARIST.
Sometimes you laugh it,
sometimes you cry it,
often you sing it.
Sometimes it’s wild peace,
then crying hurt,
often humiliating,
never deserved.
You see EUCHARIST in another’s eyes,
give it in another’s hand held tight,
Squeeze it in an embrace.
You pause EUCHARIST in the middle of a busy day,
speak it in another’s ear,
Listen to it from a person who wants to talk.
For EUCHARIST is as simple as being on time
And as profound as sympathy.
I give you my supper,
I give you my sustenance,
I give you my life,
I give you me.
I give you EUCHARIST.
Take a few moments to consider, How does this reflection change my reaction to this Gospel story?
Close the time of Prayer with the Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Take a moment now to bring to mind those you want to share peace with, family, friends, those where your relationship is broken.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Additional Resources
Fr. Kieran O’Mahony offers a scriptural analysis on the Readings in Written or on Video
You may also like to follow his video reflection on the readings for this weekend:
The following prayer is from the Center for Action and Contemplation community. We invite you to listen to or join with Richard Rohr in praying this prayer (see cac.org)
Loving God, you fill all things with a fullness and hope that we can never comprehend. Thank you for leading us into a time where more of reality is being unveiled for us all to see. We pray that you will take away our natural temptation for cynicism, denial, fear and despair. Help us have the courage to awaken to greater truth, greater humility, and greater care for one another. May we place our hope in what matters and what lasts, trusting in your eternal presence and love. Listen to our hearts’ longings for the healing of our suffering world. Please add your own intentions . . . Knowing, good God, you are hearing us better than we are speaking, we offer these prayers in all the holy names of God. Amen.
Breaking Open the Word in Prayer 