It is interesting to watch people who approach the sanctuary to receive Eucharist at Communion time. Most are respectful in the reverence they illustrate in bowing, receiving and blessing themselves. They realize that in addition to what they normally do to partake, that the physical presence of the resurrected Jesus is “actually” in the consecrated bread in whatever form it takes.
There are others, however, who seem to follow practicing Catholics because it is that time in the Mass when one is to stand, walk and eat the meal that is offered. They don’t seem to understand that there is more to this sacramental act than to copy the motions of others.
It calls for all who partake to remember to give thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice in which he suffered, died and was raised from the dead for our sins. It helps us remember how God’s love works in our lives. In addition, we come together as a community in fellowship with Christ to celebrate Eucharist as the center of our Christian life.
Our readings from the Book of Deuteronomy, St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians and St. John’s Gospel all provide us with a number of approaches to better understand our part in this wonderful gift of God’s love for us.
In our first reading, Moses explains how during the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert God still took care of their needs even though they constantly challenged all He did for them. Manna, a food unknown to all of God’s creation, was freely given to the tribe of Israel to not only feed their bodies, but as a reminder of God’s unconditional love for a chosen people who were a special community of their own under God’s protection.
St. Paul writes about choice in his letter to the Corinthians as a way of persuading the wealthy followers to put aside things that bring them instant happiness at the cost of their souls. He says: “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of the table of demons.” There is no division in Christ’s community!
Christ culminates all that is said and intimated in the first two readings by speaking in ambiguities that will give those who hear a lot to contemplate as it references the truth of who, Jesus, the Christ, is. Not cannibalism, but that Christ lives in all who follow Him. This is the basic and fundamental meaning of eating the body and blood of Christ. When we do this, we truly belong to Christ. In essence, we become the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ sharing our life with others.
In simpler language, we need to make a choice as to how we will love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. This is the promise we made to God at our Baptism; whether our parents, godparents or we said that. In doing so, we also fulfill the second promise of loving all God has created as He loves us. The crux of the issue is how do we do both?
Quick answers: Prayer and reading sacred Scripture. An additional answer: Attend daily Mass and receive Eucharist. Keep in mind that when we do this we carry the Body and Blood of Jesus inside our body for the day. He is with us so He knows what we are doing at all times. By being open in this way, we have an opportunity to live a life centered on God’s ways and a better chance of avoiding occasions of sinning. It doesn’t mean we will avoid all temptation, but it does mean we are strengthened to be more faithful in our journey to the Kingdom of God and everlasting life.
Reading 1: Deuteronomy 8: 2-3, 14b-16a
Reading 2: First Corinthians 10: 16-17
Gospel: John 6: 51-58
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