Pope Benedict XVI on Corpus Christi: the gentle power of God

Pope Benedict XVI said Mass in Rome’s Cathedral basilica of St John Lateran yesterday evening, before leading the Roman faithful in Eucharistic procession to the Basilica of St Mary Major, all to mark the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ – known throughout the world by its Latin name, “Corpus Domini” or “Corpus Christi”. In his homily, Pope Benedict focused on the Eucharist as the centre and the apex of a communion based on love and gratitude. “The Gospel,” he said, “has always aimed at the unity of the human family, a unity not imposed from above, or by ideological or economic interests, but from a sense of responsibility towards each other, because we identify ourselves as members of the same body, the body of Christ, because we have learned and continually learn from the Sacrament of the Altar that sharing, love is the path of true justice.”

The Holy Father also spoke of God’s desire to renew the world, saying that the accomplishment of this renewal is through the same path followed by Christ, indeed, the path that is Christ, the Divine Son, Himself. “There is nothing magic in Christianity,” said Pope Benedict. “There are no shortcuts, but everything passes through the patient and humble logic of the grain of wheat that is broken to give life, the logic of faith that moves mountains with the gentle power of God.”

“This,” said Pope Benedict, “is why God wants to continue to renew humanity, history and the cosmos through this chain of transformations, of which the Eucharist is the sacrament. Through the consecrated bread and wine, in which His Body and Blood is truly present, Christ transforms us, assimilating us in Him: He involves us in his redeeming work, enabling us, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, to live according to his same logic of gift, like grains of wheat united with Him and in Him. Thus unity and peace, which are the goal for which we strive, are sown and mature in the furrows of history, according to God's plan.”

Listen to Chris Altieri's report: