I am thankful

Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.

“Looking Ahead” is a weekly reflection on the Sunday readings, for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, by Father Perry.

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor

This celebration of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) highlights two relationships: God’s special and loving relationship with us; and our relationship with one another as the Body of Christ.

This feast affords me a wonderful opportunity to express my thanks to all of you — fellow members with me of the “Body of Christ.”

The scriptures today point out how God, out of love and compassion, guided his people. Nothing was left to chance.

God led his people out into the desert, and led them eventually to the place of promise.

He fed them, gave them drink, and protected them from the “serpents.”

Their outer physical journey reflected a parallel inner journey of the spirit.

In John’s Gospel, God continued to care for his people. He sent his Son, Jesus, who gave himself to God’s people so completely that he became their very food and drink to satisfy their deepest hungers and thirsts.

God’s wondrous care promised eternal life and the assurance that we will be “raised on the last day.”

All of this and our relationship with Jesus the Christ, especially in Eucharist, bring us into a profound relationship with one another.

Paul tells us we are the “Body of Christ.”

Jesus describes the depth of our unity through Eucharist: “Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.”

I am thankful. I came to St. Bernard Church 14 years ago, and this amazing parish has drawn me into this portion of the Body of Christ with profound results for me.

This parish has shaped me, changed me, formed me, challenged me, taught me, and given me new life.

Like a family, we have gone through it all. We have said things, done things, refused to do things that have hurt, and challenged, blessed, healed and loved one another.

We have been asked by God’s word to forgive. Hopefully, we have done so.

We have worked together. We have become more united — more one, and more the Body of Christ.

I am thankful. My heart has been called to love; I did all I did, not just out of duty, but for love.

I am thankful that I was a part of this portion of the Body of Christ.

I am thankful to and for you!

Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.