I AM THE LIVING BREAD
(A biblical reflection on the Solemnity of THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST, Sunday June 26, 2011)
Gospel Reading: Jn 6:51-58
First Reading: Deut 8:2-3,14-16; Psalms: Ps 147:12-15,19-20, Second Reading: 1Cor 10:16-17
The Scripture Text
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you; he who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever.” (Jn 6:51-58)
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven” (Jn 6:51). Jesus actually shook His followers when He proclaimed His flesh to be real food and His blood real drink. He would not only eat with them, but He would be the very good food they ate. How could this be? It was easy to respond to Jesus’ miracles and encouraging teachings, but these words could not idly cast aside. Many followers left, but His closest disciples sought to understand what Jesus really meant (see Jn 6:66).
Those who stayed with Jesus began to understand that He was not just sharing about His life, but He wanted His life to be deeply rooted in them and touch the very core of how they lived. While the disciples must have been touched by how deeply Jesus loved them, they must also have been profoundly challenged by the call to allow Him to enter their lives so fully. He was calling them to complete surrender!
In today’s Gospel, John picks up the theme of the manna and contrasts the bread the Jewish ancestors ate in the desert with the new bread of life given by Jesus (Jn 6:58). In the person of Jesus there is a new word of God and a new bread from heaven. Now the Word of God has become flesh, and the bread of heaven is the very life of Jesus Himself. To eat this bread is to have a share in the life of God Himself; it is to participate in eternal life.
It was at the Last Supper that Jesus gave Himself away as food and drink to His followers: “This is My body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me. This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me” (see 1Cor 11:24,25). During the last meal of His earthly life Jesus charged His disciples to keep His memory alive by gathering together to break bread. Whatever else they do, His followers must remember to eat in His name.
Most of us do not have to remember to eat because our stomach has its own way of telling us when it is time for us to eat. But we do have to remember to eat in the name of Jesus. That is why the Church asks us to gather in community at least each week to keep the memory of Jesus alive. Our Eucharist is a celebration of thanksgiving for what Jesus has done. Lest we forget what He has done, we assemble to hold that memory sacred.
Every time we receive the Eucharist, Jesus wants to tell us not only how much He loves us and how precious we are to Him. He also asks us to let Him in to every part of our lives – even the selfishness, the envy, and the resentments that can so burden US. Jesus asks us today: “Will you let me live my life in you? Will you let My Spirit come in and clear out the sin that holds you back from Me? Will you trust me with all the concerns that worry you?”
So, let us invite Jesus into our hearts. If we ask Him, He will give us hearts that are ready to say, “Yes,” to Him. He comes in mercy with His broken body and shed blood, now raised in glory, so that we can be raised with Him and became His ambassadors to this world. Let us then open our hearts and receive Him now.
Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, I give my life to You by receiving Your precious body and blood in the depths of my heart. I give You the freedom to have Your way in every area of my life. Thank You for loving me and wanting to live within me. Amen.