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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Homily: Corpus Christi (Year A)

Guest Author · June 22, 2014

ODAY’S FEAST honoring the Body and Blood of our Lord is a good example of what the now Blessed John Cardinal Newman would call a legitimate “Development of Doctrine.” When Our Lord first gave the promise of the Eucharist as described in the sixth Chapter of St. John’s Gospel, or when our Lord so simply said at the Last supper as He took the bread and wine and said, “This is my Body”, “This is my Blood”, possibly not even He and certainly not his audience were envisioning Eucharistic processions or what we know as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. These are all what Cardinal Newman would call legitimate development of doctrine or teachings.

The Old Testament: Spiritual writers and Biblical scholars have found many things in the Old Testament that prefigured events or happenings that would take place in New Testament times. And one of the most common of these was the manna or special food that God provided for his chosen people during their long journey through the desert from Egypt to the Promised Land. It was called ‘Manhu’ or ‘manna’ which literally was the Hebrew expression for ‘what is this.’ It was a flaky substance that fell every day for the people to eat, provided by God. New Testament writers and saints later on saw this as a prefigure of the Eucharist which Jesus gave us. That’s the reason why the First reading was chosen for today. Moses reminded the people how God took care of them. Needless to say how much more fortunate we are to have the Eucharist, the very flesh and blood of our Lord, for our daily sustenance if we only so desire.

Second Reading: In the second reading St. Paul uses the Eucharist as a reason why Christians should have unity among themselves. After all they are sharing in the same Body which is Christ. We do know from other sources that the Christians at Corinth were having problems at the time.

The Gospel: In some respects St. John’s presentation of Jesus’ promise of the Eucharist is one of the best proofs we have for Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. From Jesus’ presentation we certainly gather that Jesus really meant what He said, even if that meant losing some of his followers. It may come as a surprise for some to hear that St. John does not give an account of the Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper as such. We can only conjecture as to the reason why. He mentions the washing of the disciples’ feet, the betrayal of Judas and the denial of Peter, and then the long discourse which takes up three Chapters. After that they leave for the garden of Gethsemane.

The Sequence: At the beginning of this homily I mentioned the term “’the Development of Doctrine”. I see this teaching so fittingly exemplified in our teaching and belief in regard to the Eucharist. On the one hand we believe Jesus is God. On the other hand we believe that the Bread and wine when consecrated by a duly authorized minister becomes God. Therefore they too become worthy to be adored. Yes, it takes faith. In some respects one can’t be ‘argued’ into believing. I don’t know how many parishes or churches will opt to read or sing the sequence for today. Perhaps its meaning is too much above the average Catholic. I choose to read it here today, hoping that some at least will derive some benefit. If you have a prayer-book that has St. Thomas Aquinas’ prayer and Hymn the Adoro Te, I suggest you read and meditate on it today. Its presentation is perhaps simpler and easier to understand. All any of us can do on a day like this is say: “Lord, increase the Faith of all who believe in You.”


We hope you enjoyed this homily by Fr. Valentine Young, OFM.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To me it is a most inspiring reflection that, while empires and kingdoms have tumbled down, while language and custom of every kind have changed beyond recognition, still day by day the humblest Catholic priest in the remotest mission stands at his altar dressed in the garb of old Rome.”

— Father Adrian Fortescue (8 February 1912)

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