Sunday 23rd
June, 2019. Genesis
14:18-20, 1st Corinthians 11:23-26, Luke 9, 11-17
_*“And they all ate and were
satisfied.” (Luke 9:17)*_
Last
Sunday, the central focus of our reflection was on the mystery of the Trinity;
the Three Persons in One God. We recall how we were careful not to attempt an
explanation considering the fact that God is just too big to be summarized or
understood by the human brain. Today, our celebration centres on another
central aspect of our Christian Faith; the Holy Eucharist – Jesus’ body and
blood under the appearance of bread and wine.
In
today’s first reading, we see that bread and wine featured prominently in the
blessing of Abram by Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God. Meanwhile,
in our second reading, St. Paul provides a succinct catechism of the Holy
Eucharist quoting Jesus’ own words at the Last Supper. We see the divine mercy
of Jesus displayed in today’s Gospel passage when he decided to feed the five
thousand instead of sending them away hungry. No doubt, there are many lessons
for us to learn today.
*One:
The Holy Eucharist Shows us the Depth of God’s Love for Us.*
In
the feeding of the five thousand, one obvious lesson we learn is that we serve
a God is more than interested in our physical as well as spiritual wellbeing. Jesus
would not allow the crowd go away hungry, he felt their plight and worked a
miracle to feed them. This same feeling of love and concern is what inspired
our Lord Jesus to sacrifice His own flesh and blood for us on our behalf. As St.
Paul concludes in today’s second reading, “As often we eat this bread and drink
this chalice, we proclaim the Lord’s death.
As
Jesus himself noted, “Greater love
has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John
15:13). Holy Communion is deeper than just a ritual, do not become too
familiar with it that you fail to reflect on its inner meaning. Each time you
approach the Holy Eucharist, bear in mind that you are encountering the purest love
ever shown to mankind. In the Holy Eucharist, we come before a God who would
stop at nothing to provide the needs of his children even if it means shedding His
own blood. There is no prayer that God would not answer when we present it as
we receive Holy Commuion.
*Two:
The Holy Eucharist Unites Us.*
In
the miracle of the loaves, we would notice that Jesus instructs his disciples
saying: “Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.” This little detail
carries a lot of meaning. The Eucharist is a meal which requires bonding of
hearts and minds together. When we partake of the Eucharist, we all eat and
drink from one bread and one chalice. Keeping enmity with one another, fighting
or backbiting should no longer exist in our community since we all share from
the same source of nourishment.
On
the other hand, apart from sitting together in companies, Jesus used the occasion
to teach us the importance of sharing what we have with others. The miracle of
the loaves and fishes did not happen all of a sudden, it was a miracle that kept
happening each time the bread and fish was broken and shared. Selfishness or
self-centeredness are vices we must constantly eschew from our lives as
Christians. The more we share the little we have, the more it increases. If we
come to partake in the Eucharist, we must also go home to become “Eucharists”
to others by breaking and sharing our gifts, our resources, our time and all we
have with others.
*Three:
The Eucharist is Tied to the Priesthood.*
Do
you notice that without the priesthood, there is no Holy Eucharist and without
the Holy Eucharist, there is not priesthood? In fact, it was right there at the
Last Supper that the Priesthood began. When Jesus said to the twelve, “Do this
in memory of me” He was basically giving them the power of the priesthood. The entire
life of the priest revolves around the Holy Eucharist. Just as Melchizedek
blessed Abram, the priest basically is ordained to bless the people.
We must avoid the temptation of looking
down our priests so as not to fall into the error of Jesus’ close relatives who
regarded him simply as the carpenter’s son. Mark tells us that Jesus “could do no
mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and
healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:5-6). Today, the priesthood is
severely under attack, the sins and mistakes of a few are blown by the media out
of proportion. Satan’s real aim is to prevent mankind from the Holy Eucharist,
the food of our souls but he knows the only way to get to the Eucharist is by
first destroying the priesthood.
How many of us today still believe in our priests? No wonder we are
running from church to church seeking miracles when the only miracle we need
happens every day on our Altars; the changing of bread/wine into the body and
blood of Christ.
*Four: The
Eucharist is Food for our Souls.*
Our final lesson today comes
from our Gospel acclamation. Here we hear Jesus say: “I
am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread,
he will live forever…” (John 6:51). Are you a communicant?
When last did you receive the Holy Eucharist worthily and in a state of grace?
What is stopping you from taking Holy communion today? Dear friends, if Jesus
has given us his own flesh and blood, it is because He knows that just as our
bodies need food to survive, our souls need the Eucharist to survive. The more
we strive to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, the more we strive to live a
sinless life and the more we receive Jesus, the more we become strengthened
with more grace and power to be holier Christians. Do not stay away from
communion, it is your ticket to eternal life.
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, deepen
my appreciation and devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Amen.
Happy Sunday. Be Happy. Live
Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Solemnity of
the Body and Blood of Christ. Year C. Bible Study: Genesis 14:18-20, 1st
Corinthians 11:23-26 and Luke 9, 11-17).
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