Today is Corpus Christi, the Feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our lives as followers of Jesus. The Eucharist calls and binds us together as disciples of Jesus. The Eucharist feeds, nurtures and nourishes us. As the gospel today tells us,  ‘the bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world’. Jesus does not mean this as some general comment about the world ‘out there’. The Body and Blood that Jesus offers is given as his flesh for each of us personally and intimately; for you and for me. 
Perhaps, ironically, these days have strengthened our sense of belonging, community and of being connected to each other. We are connected to each other as we share in Mass and other prayers online, through the radio and on our televisions. These can never be a substitute for being physically together as a faith community.
Now more than ever we are all in need of encouragement, support and even healing. As Pope Francis reminds us,  ‘The Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and remedy for the weak.’ (The Joy of the Gospel: 47). As scientists work relentlessly for a vaccine to deal with the virus, the Eucharist is also offered to us as medicine for our daily and spiritual lives.as we come together in faith, prayer and thanksgiving as parishes and faith communities.
Today, we are also asked to remember that as the followers of Jesus, we are the community of believers; we  are the Body of Christ. Now more than ever these days as we pray from our homes, we are connected to each other and Jesus through our prayers and faith. We are not alone and we will never be alone. St. Paul in his letter to Corinthians, describes the early church as ‘The Body of Christ.’ He talks about the followers of Jesus as being deeply connected as they support, encourage and nurture each other. All parts of the Body are needed and valued as the living and vibrant Body of Christ. We are not only connected to each other; we are deeply and personally connected to and in union with Jesus. 
Paul also reminds us,  ‘If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share in its happiness.’ Today, let us pray for each other as members of the Body of Christ. Let us remain hopeful that sooner than later, we will be together in our churches to share in and receive The Body and Blood of Jesus.