Thought for the week - 19 May 2008

Corpus Christi

Thursday of this week is called Corpus Christi in the Christian calendar. ‘Corpus Christi’ means ‘the body of Christ’, and it is a day when some Christians remember how at his Last Supper Jesus broke bread for his disciples saying, ‘This is my body’ and gave them wine saying, ‘This is my blood’.  That is the basis of the celebration of Holy Communion, in which Christians believe that Jesus continues to feed them with his body and blood in the bread and wine which they receive in remembrance of him.

In days gone by, Corpus Christi was a very popular festival in England. There were great processions through the streets, which were the occasion for mystery plays, out of which the modern theatre has evolved. The ‘mysteries’ were the different trades of the town, who competed to see who put on the best play.

The festival of Corpus Christi brought together the life of the church and the life of the city, the teachings of the Christian faith and the trades and skills of everyday life, the inspiration of worship and the exuberance of drama. It was a heady mixture, and no doubt often got out of hand. But at the heart of it lay the conviction that the ‘body of Christ’ and the ‘body politic’ belong together.

We may not put on great Corpus Christi processions through the streets today, more’s the pity. But Christians still have a care for the well-being of the ‘body politic’. That is why I look forward to welcoming the Mayor and Corporation to the Cathedral next month for their annual civic service. That is why I am glad to have a seat on the Conservation Area Advisory Committee. That is why I am glad to play a part in a number of civic institutions and charities.

Centuries ago, the prophet Jeremiah wrote to his fellow-Jews who had been exiled to the cities of what today we call Iraq. He told them to ‘seek the welfare of the city’ where they found themselves: ‘for in its welfare you will find your welfare’. Christians also seek the welfare of the city. We seek the welfare of Worcester.

Peter Atkinson

Dean of Worcester