Chriostai Notes for Corpus Christi Sunday

Notes from last class:

Further Reading on Calvinistic Theology and Total Depravity:

http://www.calvinistcorner.com/tulip.htm

http://www.reformed.org/calvinism/

A Different Older, Way of Thinking:

http://classicalchristianity.com/2011/02/21/on-depraved-nature/

http://classicalchristianity.com/2011/05/09/eastern-orthodox-view-of-calvinism/

How are we co-heirs with Christ?

http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/namesofjesus/jesus_-_the_heir

First Reading — Exodus 24:3-8 

3 Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, “All the words which the LORD has spoken we will do.” 4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the people of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the LORD. 6 And Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he threw against the altar. 7 Then he took the book of the covenant, and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 And Moses took the blood and threw it upon the people, and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

1. This reading describes an ancient sacrifice having to do with blood. What is the meaning of the term, “signing in blood”? Why is blood so significant in these ceremonies? Why was it used to seal solemn agreements? Is there a relationship between blood and life? Between blood and death?

2. What kinds of covenants or solemn agreements have you made? What do your covenants tell you about God’s covenant with the Israelites?

3. What parallels do you see between this Old Testament worship and our Mass? 

4. How do you think we can apply verses 7-8?

Second Reading — Hebrews 9:11-15 

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.

1. In John 17:24 Jesus says “I wish that where I am they also may be with me. … ” In today’s reading Jesus “entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.” Did he bring us along (redeemed now though his love) into the sanctuary with him?

2. St. Paul says that Jesus will cleanse our consciences from dead works in order for us to worship the living God. What are “dead works”? Are there any such things in your life?

3. What new concept have you learned that will make participating in Eucharist more meaningful?

Gospel Reading — Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 

12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples, and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the householder, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I am to eat the passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city, and found it as he had told them; and they prepared the passover… 22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives 

1. Can you say in your own words what happens in the Eucharist to our poverty, according to Pope Francis?

… And in the Eucharist, the Lord makes us travel his path, that of service, of sharing, of gift, and what little we have, what little we are, if shared, becomes wealth, because the power of God, which is that of love, descends into our poverty to transform it.

Let us ask ourselves, … Do I let the Lord who gives himself to me, guide me to come out more and more from behind my little fence, to go out and not be afraid to give, to share, to love him and others?

Pope Francis, Homily for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi,
Rome, May 31, 2013

2. Surely the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus was doing at the Last Supper, but they trusted him absolutely. Where do you go when you need help with trust? The Holy Spirit? Books? Priest? Friends?

3. Read about the Passover meal in Exodus 12. What does it foreshadow? 

4. Describe the difference between the meaning of the Passover meal as the disciples perceived it, and the real meaning, which only Jesus knew. 

5. Obviously, the depth of devotion and celebration varies for us as we participate in communion. What makes the Eucharist celebration especially meaningful for you?