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Sunday, May 29, 2005 Meditation John 6:51-58 It is an awesome thing to reflect on the power and intimacy available to us in the Eucharist. The mere thought that eating and drinking in faith enables us to abide in Christ should be enough to leave us speechless. Let’s listen to Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher to the papal household, as he explains abiding in the Lord: “An atheist philosopher once said: ‘Man is what he eats,’ meaning that everything in us is reduced to the organic and material components of the human body. Once again, without knowing it, an atheist has expressed the Christian mystery in the best way. Because of the Eucharist, a Christian is truly what he eats. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16). In biblical language, the words “body” and “blood” indicate Jesus’ entire life—or better still, his life and death—not just different dimensions of who he is. This truth can lead us to a life-changing conclusion: There is no moment or experience in Jesus’ life that we cannot relive and share in communion. In fact, his whole life is present to us every time we receive his body and blood. And that is how we become what we eat. Isn’t that astounding? At every Mass, Jesus gives himself to us completely. As we stay close to him, our lives become so entwined with Jesus’ that his thoughts, his desires, and his attitudes become ours. Ultimately, abiding in Christ means becoming the very one we receive. At Mass and in prayer today, dwell on these truths. Let them sink into your heart. And even more importantly, let the Holy Spirit fill you with a deeper desire to be in complete communion with Jesus. “Jesus, how awesome you are! You who became flesh for us that we might receive you, abide in you, and be transformed by your whole life.” Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14-16; Psalm 147:12-15,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 |
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