Lectio Divina for the Solemnity of the Most
Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus
Christi)
We begin our prayer:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament
have left us a memorial of your Passion,
grant us, we pray,
so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and
Blood
that we may always experience in
ourselves
the fruits of your redemption.
Who live and reign with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
(Collect, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and
Blood of Christ)
Reading (Lectio)
Read the following Scripture two or three times.
Mark 14:12-16, 22-26
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread,
when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’
disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go
and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He sent
two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the
city and a man will meet you, carrying a jar of
water. Follow him. Wherever he enters, say to the
master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is
my guest room where I may eat the Passover with
my disciples?”‘ Then he will show you a large upper
room furnished and ready. Make the preparations
for us there.” The disciples then went off, entered
the city, and found it just as he had told them; and
they prepared the Passover.
While they were eating, he took bread, said the
blessing, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take
it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave
thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from
it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the
covenant, which will be shed for many. Amen, I say
to you, I shall not drink again the fruit of the vine
until the day when I drink it new in the kingdom of
God.” Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to
the Mount of Olives.
Meditation (Meditatio)
After the reading, take some time to reflect in
silence on one or more of the following questions:
• What word or words in this passage caught
your attention?
• What in this passage comforted you?
• What in this passage challenged you?
If practicing lectio divina as a family or in a group,
after the reflection time, invite the participants to
share their responses.
Prayer (Oratio)
Read the Scripture passage one more time. Bring to
the Lord the praise, petition, or thanksgiving that
the Word inspires in you.
Contemplation (Contemplatio)
Read the Scripture again, followed by this
reflection:
What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord
asking of me?
Where do you want us to go? Where is God calling
me to share his love? How can I give my life to God
more completely?
Make the preparations for us there. How can I
rearrange my priorities to make more time for God?
How can I rearrange my priorities to make more
time to serve my brothers and sisters?
“This is my body. …This is my blood.” How can I
be more reverent toward the Holy Eucharist? How
can I express my gratitude for the gift of Jesus’
body and blood?
After a period of silent reflection and/or discussion,
all recite the Lord’s Prayer and the following:
Closing Prayer:
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
I am your servant, the son
of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
(From Psalm 116)
Living the Word This Week
How can I make my life a gift for others in charity?
Spend some time reflecting on the gift of the Holy
Eucharist and receive the Sacrament of Penance so
as to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Excerpts from the New American Bible, revised edition ©
2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine,
Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright
owner. Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the
Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical
edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of
Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with
permission. All rights reserved. No portion of this text may be
reproduced by any means without permission in writing from
the copyright owner.
Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal ©
2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy
Corporation. All rights reserved.