ChiRhoRob Newsletter

June 21, 2025 - Volume 1, Issue 3

“The surest, easiest, shortest way is the Eucharist” 

Pope St. Pius X

Editor’s Note

This week’s Contemplative Corner article struck me as I was researching our intro quote by Pope St. Pius X. The article tells a story of a little boy, age 4, and his mother meeting with the Pope. His mother told Pius that she was hopeful that he will receive Communion for the first time in a couple of years. Pius asked the child who he received when receiving communion. The child answered Jesus Christ. Pius asked the child who Jesus Christ is, and the child answered, “God”. Pius invited the mother and child back the following day to give the child his first communion. How simple of an answer by the child.

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi. We believe through the invocation by the priest, in persona Christi, the words “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood” truly, through transubstantiation, turns the bread and wine into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ, given to us as the fulfillment of the covenant with Abraham.

In Genesis 15, we see God making a covenant with then Abram, promising a great nation. To enter into this, God commanded Abram to bring to him a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon, splitting each in half (except the pigeon). In those days, blood oaths were entered into by splitting a sacrifice in half and setting one part on one side of a path, and the other half on the other side of the path. The participants in this oath both walk from the opposing sides of the path and meet in the middle, the visuals of the slaughtered animals serving as a warning to each what would happen if he breaks the oath. In verse 17, we see a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch pass between the pieces of the animals while Abram is in a deep sleep. God walks both ways on the path.

In Genesis 17, God promises Abram a great name and to be a father of a multitude of nations. Abram, now Abraham, continues to grow in relationship with God, and soon thereafter, his only son with his wife, Sar’ai now Sarah, is born—enter Isaac. This will later be fulfilled with the founding of the Davidic covenant, where the Lord installs David as king, swearing to give him a great name and an everlasting kingdom. 

In Genesis 22, we hear of God testing the faith of Abraham by commanding him to take Isaac, his only son, up to the mountain and sacrificing him, only to see Abraham’s faithfulness in following his commands (God stops Abraham from killing Isaac). After this God promises to bless the world through Abraham’s descendants, which is where we as Christians see it fitting that God blessed the Jewish people first before blessing the whole world, opening up the new covenant to gentiles in Acts, specifically calling Paul.

In all of this, God is calling Abraham and his descendants to faithfulness. He gave us guideposts for life in the 10 commandments, ritual offerings in Leviticus, and leadership in the form of Moses, Aaron, and Joshua. We, as his people, have been fighting our own concupiscence, or tendency to sin, and have broken our part of these great covenants.  

Everything associated with the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis acts as a foreshadowing of the coming of Christ. The only begotten son of God, Jesus, being offered as a sacrifice in the same typography of Issac (a willing participant), through a violent act of self-giving, just like the animals that were slaughtered at the beginning. 

Christ’s offering of himself for us is consistent with God walking both ways in Genesis 15. God, knowing we wouldn’t live up to our side of the bargain, He never let Abram make a promise He couldn’t keep (remember, Abram was asleep when the smoke, representing God, “walked” both ways on the path). It is because of this that it is only fitting that God offered Himself as Jesus Christ to us on the Cross— He’s living up to His side of the deal because he knew we couldn’t.

Under the old covenant, for animal sacrifices, after the animal’s flesh was burned, the individual or family making the sacrifice would eat a portion of the animal. This is mirrored in Christ instituting the Eucharistic feast we celebrate today.

Sunday Reading Summary - Link to Readings

Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

First Reading – Genesis 14: 18-20

Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26

Gospel – Luke 9: 11-17

Headlines

A few headlines that caught my eye this week:

• The mysterious Melchizedek, and the feeding of the 5,000 - The Pillar
• A Catholic pilgrim’s harrowing escape from the Holy Land as Iranian missiles lit up the sky - CNA
• Archbishops: Assisted suicide bill will be death knell for hospices, care homes in England - CNA
• 'Joy, love, and unity' - Chicago celebrates Pope Leo - The Pillar
• Sowing or reaping? There is no third option. - Catholic Culture
• NJ top court ruling allows grand injury investigations for clerical abuse - OSV
• The Pelican and the Eucharist: How This Bird Became a Symbol of Christ's Sacrificial Love - ChurchPOP
• Liturgical music can teach value of unity in diversity, pope says - OSV
• Hundreds of thousands march in Poland’s Corpus Christi processions - OSV

Contemplative Corner  

Biography of Pope St. Pius X

Giuseppe Sarto, born into poverty, became Pope Pius X and lived a life marked by humility and deep compassion. He was known for personally caring for the sick and prioritizing the spiritual needs of the faithful. As pope, he worked tirelessly to renew the Church through liturgical reform and strengthened its teachings amid growing challenges. His life and papacy reflected a heart wholly given to Christ. Learn how this devoted shepherd shaped the Church for generations.

Apostolate Spotlight

The Angelic Warfare Confraternity

The Angelic Warfare Confraternity is a spiritual fellowship devoted to helping members grow in the virtue of chastity through daily prayer and the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Founded in the 15th century and guided by the Dominican friars, it continues to offer powerful support for men and women seeking purity of heart. Members wear a blessed cord or medal. To learn more or to enroll, visit the Angelic Warfare Confraternity website.

The Liturgical Week Ahead 

*Coloring indicates Liturgical Color

6/23/2025 - Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time 

Gn 15:1-12, 17-18/Mt 7:15-20

6/24/2025 - Tuesday - Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Is 49:1-6/Acts 13:22-26/Lk 1:57-66, 80

6/25/2025 - Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Gn 15:1-12, 17-18/Mt 7:15-20

6/26/2025 - Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time

Gn 16:1-12, 15-16 or 16:6b-12, 15-16/Mt 7:21-29

6/27/2025 - Friday - Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Ez 34:11-16/Rom 5:5b-11/Lk 15:3-7

6/28/2025 - Saturday - Optional Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Gn 18:1-15/Lk 2:41-51

Community Prayer Intentions

For Strength and Comfort

• Sia Krog and the Krog Family
• My friend John
• My friend Russell
• Pope Leo XIV

Eternal Rest

• Emma Niese
• John O'Keefe
• Pope Benedict XVI
• Pope Francis

Saints in Progress, pray for us!

• Fr. Augustus Tolton
• Bl. Solanus Casey
• Fr. Patrick Ryan

Let me know if you'd like anyone added to these lists, and please keep me in your prayers.

Thank you!

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God bless,

--Rob