Corpus Christi

Hymns NEH 271, 272, 307, 268, 443

COLLECT

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you that in this wonderful sacrament you have given us the memorial of your passion: grant us so to reverence the sacred mysteries of your body and blood that we may know within ourselves, and show forth in our lives, the fruits of your redemption; for you are alive and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. AMEN.

FIRST READING (Genesis 14: 18-20)

A reading from the book of Genesis.

Then King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. He blessed Abram and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’ And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything.

SECOND READING (1 Cor. 11: 23-26)

A reading from the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians.

I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Response: You are a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchizedek.

1. The Lord said to my Lord:
‘Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.’ R.

2. The Lord will extend your mighty sceptre
you will rule in the midst of your enemies.
In holy splendour, from the womb before the dawn,
I have begotten you. R.

3. The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change
‘You are a priest for ever
according to the order of Melchizedek.’ R.

HOLY GOSPEL (John 6: 51-58)

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’