Corpus Christi

Let all mortal flesh keep silence

There are two sacraments, one could say the two primary sacraments, where the Lord has left very clear and specific instructions about their celebration.

The first is baptism. At the Ascension the Lord commanded the Apostles to go out and preach and “Baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. This is precisely what the Church does at very baptism. We baptise using the formula specified by the Lord.

The second sacrament is that of the Eucharist. At the Last Supper the Lord was very clear and measured in his words and actions. We listened to St Mark’s account today. Taking the bread he blessed it and broke it and said, “Take it, this is my body”. He took a cup of wine and said, “This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many”. 

The Lord commanded his disciples to “Do this in memory of me”. This was not just a one-off action. It was to be taken up by his disciples, by the Church.

The Acts of the Apostles record that the first Christian communities met together each week for what they called ‘the breaking of the bread’. Christians understood from the outset that this was what the Lord asked of them. The celebration of the Eucharist was central to the life of the Christian community. It was integral to the way in which each individual Christian would live their faith.

The Lord intended that his Church sustained the faith of the believers by sacramental celebrations. It was his intention that the sacraments would be the primary means to draw down the saving work of God into the lives of Christians.

Thus, a person who comes to faith in Christ is led to the baptismal font. They already believe but by means of the Sacrament of Baptism the Holy Spirit is bestowed on them. They now live a life of grace. And sharing in the very life of God they have a new dignity given to them – they are sons and daughters of God. And they are given an eternal inheritance.

On being baptised the Christian lives a new life under the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Similarly, in the celebration of Mass we are taken up into the saving work of Christ. The actions of Christ at the Last Supper only make sense in the light of his death and resurrection. They prefigured the way in which the believer would be able to continue to participate in the mystery of redemption effected on Calvary.

Christ’s death and resurrection were historical events, but they don’t just belong to history. They are made real and active now every time the Mass is celebrated.

The central proclamation of every Mass is that we believers today proclaim that the Lord’s death and his resurrection are the means by which we are saved. We embrace this salvation won for us. Thus, it is more than just a proclamation of our faith, we are able to claim it for ourselves and participate in it.

This is given unique expression when we approach the altar to receive Holy Communion. The Risen Lord comes to us, offering us his risen life.

In speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper Jesus said that he would not leave them orphans. They would not be left to fend for themselves. In fulfilling this promise Jesus has given something beyond expectation.

At each Mass we are given the extraordinary blessing of being able to receive the Body of Christ. Jesus said that he would provide the true bread that has come down from heaven. He said that this bread was not like the bread, the Manna, the Jews ate in the desert. He declared, “It is my Father who gives you the bread from heaven, the true bread; for the bread of God comes down from heaven and gives life to the world”.

As the Jews were sustained in their time in the desert by the Father providing them with the Manna, now we Christians are sustained on our journey in life with the true bread from heaven – the Body of Christ, the
Eucharist.

When we entered this church, this cathedral, today we are not just entering a building, beautiful as it may be. In front of us is the tabernacle and to its side a light burns day and night. The Lord is here. In silence he dwells with us, among us.

When we enter this church and take our place, we genuflect to the divine presence. We have come to a place where he dwells, offering himself to us. Our Catholic churches are places not just of assembly, but are first and foremost places of encounter with the Lord.

Thus, we avoid unnecessary talk in our churches because they are houses of prayer. Our attention is on the presence of God and not on one another.

There are many beautiful hymns that have been composed to honour the remarkable gift of the Lord’s Body and Blood. One hymn, “Let all mortal flesh keep silence”, is quite ancient. It was composed for the Divine Liturgy of St James in the fourth century probably in Jerusalem. It was preserved by the Orthodox church. It is one of the most ancient hymns still used.

Let us allow the ancient faith to stir us today on this glorious feast of Corpus Christi

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
For with blessing in his hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Archbishop Julian Porteous

Sunday, 6 June 2021.