Feast of Corpus Christi Discussion Questions

A Conversation with the Weekend Readings

Theme: Feast of Corpus Christi 

First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Gospel: John 6:51-58

                       

1)    Our first reading is from the Book of Deuteronomy. The word deuteronomy translated means, second law. It is from this book that the great commandment to Love God with all your heart and soul is proclaimed.  In the Book of Leviticus, the law to love your neighbor as yourself is found.  When Jesus gives us the two great commandments, he is pulling from both of these Hebrew texts  (Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18)  In the Hebrew tradition, it is common to have a mezuzah on the doorpost (the word means doorpost) with the Deuteronomy passage in it as a constant reminder that to love God and one another is the foundation of the entire law.  In the first reading for today we heard the words, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from God.” What does this mean to you in relation to your understanding of Eucharist?  How is the Eucharist and the Word related within your worship experience?  

2)    In the Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he used the Body of Christ in relation to our partaking in the “one loaf” of Eucharist. Only a few centuries following Jesus’ ascension, the early Church was already dealing with divisions regarding theology, doctrine, Christology.  Most of Paul’s letters were in response to pastoral issues and he uses metaphorical images to describe our relationship to each other and to Christ.  What comes to mind when you hear the words, “do we not partake [together] in the blood and body of Christ”?  Catholic theology understands the Eucharist to be the result of transubstantiation (elements are permanently changed). Other faith traditions believe in consubstantiation and some that the bread and wine are purely symbolic.  Our understanding of the nature of the Eucharist not only causes division within the Christian communities, but among Catholics as well. What are your thoughts on the nature of the Eucharist?

3)    In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells the crowds, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven…” This is clearly a connection to the experience of the Israelites in the desert receiving manna from heaven.  The passage goes on, “The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’” Imagine for a moment you are living in the 1^st century prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection.  How do you think you would respond to these words?

4)    The theology of the Eucharist developed over time.  Please read the Bread of Life discourse in John 6:22-58. Based on what you know from the Synoptic Gospels, is there a theological development already obvious in the Bread of Life discourse in John’s Gospel? 

5)    In our faith community, we consecrate the Eucharist together.  We believe that we become the Body and Blood of Christ through our partaking in the consecrated meal, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him/her.”  What does it mean for you to be the Body and Blood of Christ? How do we communicate this to those we are called to serve?