GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
- DATE: 18TH JUNE 2017
SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16
PSALM: Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
SECOND READING: 1Cor 10:16-17
GOSPEL: John 6:51-58
THEME: BREAD OF HEAVEN
St. Maximillian Kolbe is quoted as saying: “If angels could be jealous of men and women, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.”
In the verses preceding today’s Gospel text, a crowd that had come to Jesus because of their desire for earthly bread said, “Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat'”(Jn. 6:31). In response to this argument, Jesus made it clear to them that it is the Father and not Moses who gives the true bread from heaven. A portion of the discussion that ensued thereafter is captured by our Gospel text for today. Jesus said to the crowd: “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” (Jn. 6:51).
At the heart of the spiritual and sacramental life of the early Christian community was the understanding that the bread that is broken and the wine that is poured during worship (liturgical assembly) was the real Body and Blood of Christ. Paul affirms this in the Second Reading with two rhetoric questions: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16 ).
For 2000 years, in continuity with the faith of the early Christians, the Church has upheld the belief that Jesus Christ makes himself available to us on every altar of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass – the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Today’s liturgical celebration is a call to every believer to prepare and come to the table of the Lord where we feast not on food that passes away but on the real body and blood of Christ. It is a celebration of the generous offer of Christ to humanity. He does not only give us ‘things’ in life, he gives us his very self.
The essential element in responding to this invitation is faith. When bread and wine have been consecrated at Mass, it takes the eyes of faith to see that what is present on the altar and offered to us in communion is Jesus Christ. When we receive the Eucharist with faith, our lives are changed forever.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, by virtue of the one and eternal sacrifice you made on the cross, you continually make yourself available to us in the Eucharist. Thank you for the gift of your Body and Blood. May this holy food bring me health in mind, body and soul, and lead me to salvation. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).