Dear brothers and sisters, may our Risen Lord give you peace always! As the Church, we lift up our hearts today in awe before the mystery of the Holy Eucharist, the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. And who better to guide us in reverence and wonder than Saint Francis of Assisi, that humble and joyful lover of Christ truly present among us? Again, as a website dedicated to Franciscan preaching, every now and then I will highlight how Saint Francis’ spirituality fits into our reflection for the day.

Saint Francis was consumed with love for the Eucharistic Lord. In his writings, he urged all people to “show great reverence for His (Christ’s) Body and Blood, for every day He humbles Himself just as He did when He came from His royal throne into the Virgin’s womb; every day He comes to us in humble appearance.” He was grieved when the Sacrament was neglected or treated carelessly, and cried out, “Let the whole of mankind tremble, the whole world shake, and the heavens exult when Christ, the Son of the living God, is present on the altar in the hands of a priest!”
This is also a solemn wakeup call to us who have been called not only to Franciscan religious life, but also to the priesthood, and what a great and sublime privilege and honour it is to hold our Lord in our hands at every Holy Mass. How ought we, the priests to prepare ourselves? What kind of life ought we to be living in general. For this reason, I ask you who are listening to this homily, to pray for your priests, for while it is true they are uniquely called to the priestly ministry, it is also clear that no other group of men will be more attacked and harassed by the evil one and his fallen demons. The protection against these attacks comes through their personal prayer, but also and perhaps even more effectively, through your prayers on their behalf. For Francis, the Eucharist was no mere symbol or ritual. It was Christ Himself — poor, humble, hidden under the signs of bread and wine — giving Himself completely, nourishing us with His presence, and drawing us into His love so that we might be transformed.
Our readings today open this mystery for us. Melchizedek offers bread and wine, blessing Abram in thanksgiving to God Most High — a glimpse of the perfect offering of Christ. Saint Paul reminds us that what we receive is not merely bread, but the very Body of Christ given for us; not mere wine, but His Blood poured out in love. And in the Gospel, Jesus feeds the hungry multitude, satisfying their needs with generosity and compassion, pointing us toward the Eucharist through which He is able to feed the world with His own life and love. In every analysed Euchastic miracle, the result always shows he is giving us his Heart, His Sacred Heart – in other words, his everything!
And how much we need this Bread of Life today, more than anything in the world. As we look at our world, we see wars raging, nations divided, the poor and innocent suffering, and so many hearts hungry for peace, justice, and hope. The Eucharist speaks directly to this brokenness. It is the Sacrament of unity, of peace, of mercy — a gift that calls us to be peacemakers and to see Christ in every wounded brother and sister.
Let us then approach this Sacrament with the reverence and gratitude Saint Francis had, recognizing that here, on our altars, is Christ who feeds, heals, and unites. Let us allow the Eucharist to change us — to make us instruments of His peace in a world so desperately in need of it.
And on this Corpus Christi, may we make our own the simple prayer of Saint Francis: “We adore You, Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all Your churches throughout the world, and we bless You, because by Your holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.” Amen.
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