The Corpus Christ procession is one of those cosmic events in our lives that recalls the words of Jesus, “That your joy may be complete.” (Jn. 16:24) In the gospel Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus in procession (Lk. 19: 1-9) and this encounter fills him with an over abundance of joy. To keep his new found joy, Zacchaeus offers to give away half his possessions to the poor, and to anyone whom he has defrauded, he offers to repay them four-fold calling to mind Jesus’ words that “No one will take your joy away from you.” (Jn. 16:22) Or better said he sells everything to buy the pearl of great price (Matt. 13:45-46): The Joy of Finding Jesus.
The Corpus Christi procession opens the eyes of the blind as when the blind beggar hears that Jesus is passing by on His way to Jericho, and he begins to cry out, “Son of David, have mercy on me,” (Lk. 18:39) so Jesus heals him. “When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God,” (Lk.18:18-43) because they too were blind and now they see. Their joy turns into the praise that Isaiah speaks of, “Shout aloud and sing for joy!” (12:6)
A Monstrance
The Corpus Christ procession brings joy to the sick, as when Jesus goes to see a dying little girl, and “A large crowd followed and pressed around him” (Matt. 5:24); then a woman who is sick touches His garment and receives healing. After waiting for twelve long years, her whole being is now full of joy, “Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.” (Isaiah 35:6) In the words of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, when writing about the Corpus Christi procession, “This leads too, to the core of our humanity, which yearns for this joy with its every fiber.”¹
The Corpus Christi procession can also been seen when the five thousand (not counting women and children) follow Jesus into the hills to experience the joy of his teachings, and the joy of being miraculously fed on a couple of occasions. As we follow Jesus in procession, He will again fill us with the joy of walking with Him and learning from Him as those thousands did 2,000 years ago. Let us implore Him, “Complete my joy by being of the same mind” (Phil. 2:2) in the midst of the thousands that will process.
The joy of the Corpus Christi procession can be seen when, “The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road… crying out and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David…” (Matt 21:8-9) Reminding us of what it will be like for those in procession when He passes through the streets. St. John Vianney asks what Jesus is doing when we carry Him during the Corpus Christi procession, and he replies, “He is like a good king in the midst of His subjects, like a good father surrounded by His children, like a good shepherd visiting His sheep.”
Corpus Christi Procession to Texas State Capitol
The Corpus Christi procession can also be seen a week later while carrying His cross and climbing Calvary, but it is a hidden joy between the Holy Trinity and the Blessed Virgin Mary knowing that He will make all things new by restoring humanity as adopted children of God and redeeming mankind. Two thousand years later, we process with the risen Lord that “We can open ourselves wide to the joy of the redeemed.”²
Jesus in the Eucharist at the Texas State Capitol
Finally, my brothers and sisters our joy will only be complete when we come into His Eucharistic presence, or as Psalm 16:11 says, “You will fill me with joy in your presence.” Therefore let us prepare our hearts to accompany Him with adoration, song, and praise, but most importantly let us prepare for the joy of being surprised by Him as the people in the gospel were. “Let the sons of the Church, the children of the new people, rejoice in Christ, their King.”³ Yes, the procession brings a joy unlike any other joy to the point that we are to “Let beauty shine out in all its radiance when you come to express this joy of all joys.”⁴
[1] “Joseph Ratzinger Collected Works Theology of the Liturgy” 2008, Ignatius Press
[2] Ibid.
[3] St. Hesychius of Jerusalem 450 AD
[4] “Joseph Ratzinger Collected Works Theology of the Liturgy” 2008, Ignatius Press
Read:
Corpus Christi Procession – “That They May All Be One” (Part 1)
Corpus Christi Procession – “One Heart and Soul” (Part 2)
2015 Corpus Christi Procession to Texas State Capitol
PDF Flyer
WHEN: Sunday, June 7, 2015
STARTS: Saint Mary Cathedral with 9:30 am Mass *
WHO: English & Spanish Corpus Christi Processions
ROUTE: Cathedral – State Capitol – University of Texas
ENDS: University Catholic Center 12:00 noon Mass *
WHAT: Bring your group/organization banner
INFORMATION: www.austindiocese.org (*pick a Mass)
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