This is my body - Rector's Rambling for June 23, 2019

This is our last great HURRAH before we head into the long season of Trinitytide, also known as the long, green-vestment Sundays in Ordinary Time.  Next week we begin our long, systematic look at the teachings of Jesus on how we are to live this life we have in Him, after the various seasons of Advent, Christmastide, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter – each with its unique emphasis on the story of salvation for us.

But today’s celebration grounds us in a central reality of our ongoing sanctification, the gift of the assurance of Grace in the frequent reception of Jesus’ own Body and Blood in the Blessed Sacrament.

The catechism reminds us that a sacrament is “an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace given unto us; ordained by Christ himself, as a means whereby we receive the same, and a pledge to assure us thereof.” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 581).  It is a promise by Jesus himself to feed us with His own Body and Blood, to nourish us spiritually and strengthen us for the service of the Kingdom of God.

Here, at St. John’s, we have at least five celebrations of the Holy Communion a week.  Twice on Sunday we have Holy Communion, also called the Holy Eucharist and Mass.  And during the week we also have Holy Communion most weeks on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and on other days when Holy Days occur on them.

Although Sunday is our primary day to worship, it is a great blessing also to worship and receive the Blessed Sacrament on a weekday as well.  This is not as a substitute for Sunday worship, but in addition to it.

The weekday Communion Service, also known as Low Mass, is generally 25 to 30 minutes long.  There is a brief sermon or reading of the biography of the saint of the day, and we don’t usually have any singing at the weekday Masses.  They are a more intimate, quiet time to worship and receive the blessing of the Sacrament to aid in our battle against the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil and to be strengthened to live lives of greater holiness.  Take advantage of this opportunity.