The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
In 2024, I embarked on the craziest adventure of my life: a two-month-long road trip alongside five other young adults, a handful of religious and priests, and Jesus.
As a perpetual pilgrim on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, I had the great privilege of journeying with the Blessed Sacrament from Connecticut to Indiana by foot, car, and occasionally boat. Our team helped lead Eucharistic processions and events big and small from May to July, all for the sake of reviving Eucharistic devotion in our country.
Today is the feast of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi, which invites us to celebrate the gift and mystery of the true presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” We receive the same life given from God the Father to Jesus when we partake in the Blessed Sacrament.
But what does that life look like?
On the pilgrimage, I saw firsthand this life that Jesus imparts on His people. I saw the presence of Jesus move the incarcerated to tears, bystanders to wonder, and little children to deep acts of devotion. I met one woman in the Midwest who came up to me after a grueling miles-long procession in the afternoon summer sun. With a triumphant and trembling voice, she shared that she had just finished chemotherapy and had been on the fence about joining her husband on the procession. Nevertheless, she felt called to join for as much as she was able, and by the grace of God, she finished with little pain and even enough energy to attend the evening holy hour. Jesus is truly still healing and drawing people to Himself today.
Ultimately, Jesus promises eternal life to those who eat His flesh and drink His blood. And so, the Blessed Sacrament is our food for the journey that gives us life on our way to our heavenly home, which is eternal life with God. May we celebrate this joyous feast with deep thanksgiving to our Lord for this precious gift of the Blessed Sacrament, the gift of His very Self!
Zoe Dongas is a worship leader and artist based in New York City. She is the Assistant Director of Arthouse2B and the Secretary of the Board of the Catholic Artist Connection. Say hey at zoedongas.com!
