“CORPUS CHRISTI” | POSTCARDS FROM ROME EXPERIENCE 2017
On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, some of the brothers and I were able to get tickets for the Papal Mass and the Eucharistic procession from the Basilicas of St. John Lateran to St. Mary Major. The Eucharistic Procession has been one of the highlights for me on The Rome Experience.
On the cross was veiled Thy Godhead’s splendor, here Thy manhood lies hidden too; unto both alike my faith I render, and, as sued the contrite thief, I sue. Though I look not on Thy wounds with Thomas, Thee, my Lord, and Thee, my God, I call: make me more and more believe Thy promise, hope in Thee, and love Thee over all. (St. Thomas Aquinas, Adoro Te Devote)
Hidden in the Sacrament of humility, we do not see the humanity nor the divinity of Our Lord. But there lies the fulfillment of our existence. The epitome of our existence is to receive His life giving Word. Only the truth of His Word is strong enough to uphold our existence. And this truth calls us to Communion. When we receive the Body of Christ, He does not become part of own self as if we are self-existent; rather, we become part of Him. When the minister raises the Precious Host before us we hear, Body of Christ, Corpus Christi. It is an affirmation of who we are, the Body of Christ. But also, lies the greatest challenge of letting go of our footing in our finite existence and letting the waves of God’s mercy carry us into the infinite. Christ is the threshold which draws into the mystery of being beloved sons and daughters of God. Even though we may not see the wounds as St. Thomas did, but we cry the same faith with him, My Lord and My God. Even when the words of the first thief and the mocking crowd are still being echoed today of the absence of God. We still must press forward as a living procession because the King of Kings is enthroned on our soul. ”Communion with God, being with God, therefore is the most real of all reality, more real than the reality of death” (Br. Robin Bernabe, MSpS). This reality must be brought about not only in the streets of Rome, but also in our homes, our workplaces, and schools.
Daniel Lopez
The Rome Experience Class of 2017
Archdiocese of Los Angeles, California
St. John’s Seminary