The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Remain in Me

Jesus and I—the first catechism that I studied in preparation for my first reception of Jesus in the Eucharist. I am not sure if I realized then what I know today. It’s not just about the personal relationship that I have with Jesus. It’s also about how I act communally in the Body of Christ, in all of humanity.

Jesus says, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” Jesus remains in me? Whenever we eat (receive), as infrequently as it might be in these pandemic days, we are transformed, we are changed. We become the ears of Jesus, stopping to listen and to hear the cries for racial justice. We become the eyes of Jesus, seeing the hungry lining up at food banks. We become the heart of Jesus, gently loving and comforting those who are suffering. We use the limbs of our bodies to move, to act in solidarity, to feel the pain, to bring relief, to do something! We use our brains to reflect on what Jesus would do in response to all that is death-dealing in our world. Jesus is the bread of life. As we remain in Jesus and Jesus remains in us, we have a relationship, a covenant that does not allow us to be passive. We are all one body implies that we are all related and all responsible for each other.

In John’s Gospel, the Eucharist is so much more than a ritual meal or a religious ceremony. Gathering at the table and receiving sends us to be actively engaged in feeding the hungers of the world, the haunting hungers for justice, love, healing, hope, and help. How will we take up this work? How will we be the bread of life to others? Who will be our partners in this journey?