Sunday, June 07, 2026

Dear brothers and sisters,

The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi, calls us to renew our faith in the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in His abiding presence within us after His Ascension. This faith should be reflected in our deep reverence for the Holy Eucharist and in our wholehearted worship of God with all our heart, with all our strength, with all our soul, and with all our mind. Unfortunately, some-times we may fall short of this calling, whether through a lack of attentiveness to the reverence or neglect of practices that honor the Body and Blood of Christ.

First, we may behave without respect, reverence, and faithfulness when entering the House of God, walking up the sacred sanctuary, approaching the tabernacle, or remaining in some holy space where God dwells in a special way. We talk loudly, dress inappropriately, act impolitely, and forget to prepare ourselves before crossing the casual entrance into a space set apart for prayer, reflection, and divine worship. We forget to do simple gestures, like genuflecting or making the sign of the cross, that serve as reminders of the presence of Christ, the encounter with the Divine, and the prayerful environment of the faithful.

Second, because we participate in the acts of worship without focus, sincerity, and connection, our religious practices become external rather than interior. We show up to Mass, recite prayers and participate with others in religious ceremony, but we inwardly feel distant, distracted, or unmoved as our heart and mind are some-where else. We allow our daily stress, worries, or personal concerns make the rhythm of the liturgy become something we get through rather than something we enter into. We let different distractions, such as our living concerns, our religious obligations, or physical noises in the enviroment, destroy our engagement in the cele-bration, our communion with God and our sacred moments with God.

Third, we sometimes receive the Body and Blood of Christ without compassion, preparation, and a true con-version of heart. This happens when we lose sight of the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, forget to reflect on the immense grace offered in this sacred Sacrament, and pray with humility the words: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” It happens when we neglect the interior preparation that gives meaning to this moment, such as failing to exam-ine our conscience, seek reconciliation when needed, or approach the altar with a sincere desire to grow in love. It also happens when we do not allow the Eucharist to shape our lives and become a transformative call to change, “to live justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).

Sincerely yours in Jesus Christ and Our Lady of La Vang!

Reverend Kiet Anh Ta.