Hebrews Reveals: Why Jesus' Blood Is the New Covenant

Exploring the Biblical Roots of Corpus Christi Sunday

This week's episode takes an in-depth look at the biblical passages read during the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). We'll examine:

The Origins of Corpus Christi
Learn about the Eucharistic miracle in 1263 that led to the establishment of this feast day celebrating Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist.

The Typological Connections
Discover how the Old Testament reading from Exodus foreshadows the events of the Last Supper described in the Gospel of Mark, drawing parallels between covenants and sacrifices.

The Significance of Exodus 24:3-8
Unpack the ceremony where Moses confirms the covenant between God and the Israelites, sealed with the sprinkling of blood.

Insights from Hebrews 9:11-15
Explore how this passage presents Jesus as the high priest offering himself as the perfect sacrifice, establishing a new covenant.

The Last Supper in Mark 14
Reflect on Jesus instituting the Eucharist, using bread and wine to symbolize his body and blood of the new covenant.

Personal Reflections
Hear personal insights on remembering our covenant relationship with God, recognising Jesus as the mediator, and fully participating in the Eucharist.

Whether new to Catholicism or a lifelong believer, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the deep biblical roots underlying our celebration of the Eucharist on Corpus Christi Sunday.

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Transcript

Julie South [00:00:03]:
Welcome to your Catholic Corner. Peace be with you. I am your show host, Julie south. Your catholic corner helps Catholics spiritually prepare for each Sunday's mass starting mid week. Each week you can listen to your catholic corner@yourcatholiccorner.com today we are uncovering the biblical gems hidden in the books of Exodus, the letter to the Hebrews, and from the Gospel of Mark. This coming Sunday's mass is also known as Corpus Christi Sunday. Because this is another special day, you'll notice your priest will be wearing white again this Sunday. The format for today's show is to look at what connects our Bible passages being read on Corpus Christi Sunday so we can better understand why these specific three passages have been selected by the church.

Julie South [00:01:02]:
We'll have a quick look at how Corpus Christi Sunday came about. Then we'll have a quick look at what was going on in the world at the time that each of these passages was written. To give us some context and history, we'll pray these passages together, and then I'll share my reflections with you. What I heard God saying to me and his personal nudge to me. Remember that when two or more are gathered in Jesus name, like we are here today, then he is with us. We are praying from Exodus, chapter 24, verses three through eight, the Book of Hebrews, chapter nine, verses eleven through 15, and mark. Gospel of Mark, chapter 14, verses twelve through 16, and 22 through 26. But before that, a quick word about.

Julie South [00:01:58]:
Your catholic corner, just in case this is your first time here. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, whether you've only just heard of that man called Jesus, you're new to Catholicism or you're a cradle Catholic. My prayer is that your catholic corner will help bring God's word to life in your heart through insights, reflections, and practical applications that help deepen your relationship with God. Every Thursday we'll start preparing for mass by uncovering the richness hidden in each Sunday's Bible readings, from Old Testament prophecies to gospel parables. I invite you to join me and the parishioners of the cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton, New Zealand, sponsors of your catholic corner so that together we can hear God's word and echo. Samuel, speak, Lord, your servant is listening. Now let's get back to today's show.

Julie South [00:03:07]:
The feast of Corpus Christi, also known as the solemnity of the most holy body and blood of Christ, is celebrated in the Catholic Church to honour our Lord's presence in the Blessed Sacrament. It was instituted in the Catholic Church by Pope Urban IV in September 1264, after a eucharistic miracle that occurred in Bolsena, Italy, in 1263. The miracle involved a german priest named Peter of Prague, who was on a pilgrimage to Rome and stopped at Bolsena. While celebrating mass in the church of St Christina. Peter of Prague had doubts about the real presence of Christ on the consecrated host. However, during the mass, blood started to seep from the consecrated host and trickle over his hands onto the altar and the corporal. By the way, the term corporal here refers to a linen cloth that's used during Mass and is a derivative of the latin word corpus, meaning body. It represents the linen cloth that was used to wrap Jesus body in the tomb.

Julie South [00:04:17]:
But getting back to the miracle of the blood seeping over Peter of Prague's hands during mass, that miracle prompted Pope Urban IV to establish the feast of Corpus Christi, which is celebrated usually on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, or in some places it's transferred to the Sunday. It's an important celebration of the Catholic Church because it emphasises our belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. It's a reminder of Jesus last Supper, where he instituted the Eucharist and his promise to be with his disciples always. Corpus Christi gives us Catholics an opportunity to deepen our faith, our devotion to the Eucharist, and to give thanks to the gift of the holy body and blood of Jesus. Now let's have a top level look at the biblical typology we have happening with the corpus crystal. Bible readings. Remember, typology refers to when a person, event or a thing, usually from the Bible's Old Testament, foreshadows someone or something or an event in the New Testament. The typological connection between Exodus and mark relates.

Julie South [00:05:39]:
So that's the Old Testament of Exodus. And the New Testament with the Gospel of Mark relates to the themes of covenant and sacrifice. In the Old Testament passage of Exodus, Moses is still establishes a covenant between God and the people of Israel. This covenant is sealed with blood, symbolising the commitment and the relationship between God and his people. In the New Testament passage from Mark this coming Sunday, Jesus institutes the eucharist during the last Supper celebrated on Corpus Christi. The new covenant is established through Jesus sacrifice of his body and blood, which is represented by the bread and the wine shared by his disciples. Also in Exodus, Moses gathers the people of Israel and reads the words of the Lord and the ordinances to them. The people respond with one voice, committing themselves to obedience.

Julie South [00:06:37]:
Moses writes down the words of the Lord and builds an altar. He sprinkles the blood of the sacrificial animals on the altar and on the people, symbolizing the blood of the covenant between God and his people. Connecting that to mark, Jesus instructs his disciples to prepare for the Passover meal, which is when the sacrifice of the Passover lamb takes place. As we know, it's during this meal that Jesus institutes the Eucharist by taking bread and wine and giving those to his disciples. He identifies the bread as his body and the wine as his blood of the new covenant, which is based on the sacrifice of Jesus body and blood for the forgiveness of sins. Here we have the connection and the parallels between the covenant established in Exodus and the new covenant established by Jesus. Both involve blood to seal the agreement between God and his people. In Exodus, the blood of the animals symbolizes the covenant between God and the Israelites.

Julie South [00:07:44]:
In Mark, the bread and wine symbolize Jesus body and blood, which establishes the new covenant between God and all believers. Additionally, we also have sacrifice. In Exodus, the sacrificial lambs are offered as part of the covenant ceremony. In Mark, Jesus offers his body and his blood as the sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. This Old and New Testament connection emphasises the significance of Jesus sacrifice as being the ultimate and complete offering for salvation. Now let's look a little deeper into each passage. Exodus chapter 24, verses three to eight. This is a passage from the Old Testament Bible describing the ceremony in which the covenant between God and the Israelites was confirmed.

Julie South [00:08:50]:
This took place during the time of Moses, who was the leader of the Israelites during their journey from slavery in Egypt and into the promised land. At this time, the Israelites had been living as slaves in Egypt and were treated horribly by the Egyptians, including forced labor and the killing of newborn israelite boys. God, though, heard their cries and chose Moses to be their leader and their deliverer. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. So the exodus through a series of amazing events, which included the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision of manna and water in the wilderness. However, their journey to the promised land wasn't easy, and they had to rely on God for guidance, protection and provision as a people. They grumbled, they griped, they groaned, they disobeyed God, which resulted in consequences from him. Consequences from God.

Julie South [00:09:52]:
The ceremony described in our exodus passage this coming Sunday was a significant moment in the Israelites relationship with God. It involved Moses going up the mountain to receive the tablets of the ten Commandments and the book of the covenant from God. The people agreed to abide by these commandments, and the covenant was symbolised by the sprinkling of blood on the altar and the people. In Hebrews, chapter nine, verses eleven through 15, we have a passage from the New Testament describing the role of Jesus Christ as the high priest who offers a superior sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Hebrews was written to a community of jewish Christians facing persecution and struggling to maintain their faith. The writer wanted to encourage and strengthen their faith by presenting Jesus as the ultimate fulfilment of the Old Testament sacrificial system and the superior high priest. In the Old Testament, the high priest was the mediator between God and the people of Israel. He offered sacrifices on behalf of the people and entered the holy of holies in the tabernacle or temple once a year on the day of atonement to make atonement for their sins.

Julie South [00:11:24]:
However, the author of Hebrews what we're listening to this day argues that the sacrifices offered by the high priests of the old covenant were temporary and didn't provide true, lasting forgiveness. He says that when Christ comes as the high priest, he entered into the greater and the more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands but of heavenly origin. This is a reference to Jesus ascension into heaven after his death and resurrection. Unlike the earthly tabernacle and sacrifices, Jesus offered his own blood as a sacrifice to obtain eternal redemption for humanity. His sacrifice was a one time event that accomplished what all the previous sacrifices hadn't and couldn't complete, forgiveness and reconciliation with God. We hear about the comparison of the blood of goats and bulls used in the Old Testament sacrificial system to the blood of Christ. The author argues that if the blood of animals could ceremonially cleanse the people from their sins, how much more effective is the blood of Christ in purifying our consciences and enabling us to serve the living God? The term redemption listen out for as we pray together in a bit, refers to the liberation from the bondage of sin and the restoration to a right and a whole relationship with God. The author emphasises that Jesus is the mediator.

Julie South [00:13:06]:
Listen out for that too, a mediator of a new and a better covenant based on his sacrificial death. Through his death, Jesus redeems us from the sins committed under the old covenant and enables us to receive the promised eternal inheritance. Then we have the gospel reading selected from Mark, referencing the Last Supper which took place during the jewish feast of Passover. As we know, during the Last Supper, Jesus and his disciples gathered together to share a meal which included unleavened bread and wine. Jesus took the bread, blessed it broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, take it. Eat. This is my body. Remember those words? We hear them every single day we go to mass.

Julie South [00:14:08]:
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many. We hear that every time we go to mass as well as we know. For us Catholics, this moment of the Last Supper is where Jesus instituted the Eucharist. It's where he offers his own body and blood as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity. Between God and us. Between God and you. Between God and me. Jesus presents himself as the sacrificial lamb whose body and blood will be offered for the salvation of all.

Julie South [00:14:51]:
You and me. Us. Here we have imagery and symbolism of the Passover feast, providing a historical and a cultural backdrop for understanding the significance of the last supper to Catholics and the Catholic Mass. This is the reason we participate and we celebrate Mass so we can partake in the body and the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. With all of that as the backdrop. Now let's pray together. A reading from the book of Exodus. Moses went and told the people all the commands of the Lord and all the ordinances.

Julie South [00:15:50]:
In answer, all the people said with one voice, we will observe all the commands that the Lord has decreed. Moses put all the commands of the Lord into writing, and early next morning, he built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve standing stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he directed certain young Israelites to offer holocausts and to immolate bullocks to the Lord as communion sacrifices. Half of the blood Moses took up and put into basins, the other half he cast on the altar. And taking the book of the covenant, he read it to the listening people, and they said, we will observe all that the Lord has decreed. We will obey. Then Moses took the blood and cast it towards the people. This, he said, is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you, containing all these rules.

Julie South [00:16:54]:
The word of the Lord. A reading from the Book of Hebrews. Now Christ has come as the high priest of all the blessings which were to come, he has passed through the greater, the more perfect tent, which is better than the one made by men's hands, because it is not of this created order. And he has entered the sanctuary once and for all, taking with him not the blood of goats and bull calves, but his own blood, having won an eternal redemption for us. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer are sprinkled on those who have incurred defilement, and they restore the holiness of their outward lives. How much more effectively the blood of Christ, who offered himself as the perfect sacrifice to God through the eternal spirit, can purify our inner self from dead actions, so that we do our service to the living God. He brings a new covenant as the mediator, only so that the people who were called to an eternal inheritance may actually received what was promised. His death took place to cancel the sins that infringed the earlier covenant.

Julie South [00:18:30]:
The word of the Lord. A reading from the Gospel of Mark. On the first day of unleavened bread, when the Passover lamb was sacrificed, his disciples said to Jesus, where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover? So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, go into the city and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him and say to the owner of the house which he enters. The master says, where is my dining room in which I can eat the Passover with my disciples? He will show you a large upper room furnished with couches or prepared, make the preparations for us there. The disciples set out and went to the city and found everything as he had told them and prepared the Passover. As they were eating, he took some bread, and when he had said the blessing, he broke it and gave it to them. Take it, he said, this is my body.

Julie South [00:19:48]:
Then he took a cup, and when he had returned, thanks, he gave it to them, and all drank from it. And he said to them, this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is to be poured out for many. I tell you solemnly, I shall not drink any more wine until the day I drink the new wine in the kingdom of God. After psalms had been sung, they left for the Mount of olives. The gospel of the Lord. What was God saying to you? Remember that what God is saying to me might not be what God is saying to you, because he speaks to each of us differently from Exodus. Moses built an altar and set up twelve stone pillars to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. He then took the blood from the sacrifices and sprinkled it on the altar, and the people, declaring, this is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you.

Julie South [00:21:07]:
The question I have of myself from this passage is to ask myself, this is God's nudge. How often I remember and honour the relationship I have with God through Jesus Christ, who shed his blood for us, for our redemption, for yours, for my redemption, God's nudge to me here is to remember this daily, certainly more often than I do today, than I do now. Then, from Hebrews, Jesus is described as the mediator of the new covenant. That's in Hebrews 915, which nudges me to remember the role that Jesus plays in bridging the gap between us and God. Between me and God. Again, God's nudge to me here is to remember this more often as well, preferably daily. Certainly more than I am right now, that's for sure. And then from Mark, the nudge for me there is to participate more fully in each eucharist from a heart and a soul level.

Julie South [00:22:23]:
Sometimes when I go to mass, I end up getting so caught up in the doing of mass, making sure that there's enough people to read, to be extraordinary ministers, to take up the gifts to the altar, the collections, etc. Etc. Etcetera. All that doing stuff that I end up staying in my head, making sure that it's all happening and I miss out recommitting my heart and my soul to what's happening at the last supper in the eucharist. Because I'm doing stuff. I'm making sure that stuff gets done rather than just being there with God to participate more fully. So those are the nudges from God to me today. What about you? What was God saying to you? I hope you found all of this interesting and helpful.

Julie South [00:23:29]:
I hope this podcast helps you prepare even a teeny, tiny, incy wincy dinky little bit and help you understand a bit better the wonderful word of God and the catholic faith. Thank you for spending the last 25 minutes or so of your life with God and me. If you enjoyed today's show, can you please help me spread God's word about your catholic corner so that I know that I'm not talking into a big black void? All you have to do is tell three people what you get out of listening to this podcast so they can hopefully benefit as well. Letting them know about it is really easy. Just tell them. Ask them to visit yourcatholiccorner.com where they can follow the show. From there. It's free, it doesn't cost anything, and it means that I will know I'm not talking to no one.

Julie South [00:24:29]:
So thank you for doing that. Wherever you are, I pray that God's glass of love overflows in your heart and your life, and that when you're ready, you'll be able to accept God's invitation to you to join him to share in holy communion at your local catholic parish. And finally, I would like to say thank you to the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who helped me bring this podcast to you today. This is Julie south signing off until next week. Peace be with you. God bless.