To Be Flesh and Blood

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”

Remember all the bread imagery in the readings of the past few weeks? This Sunday we hear the word “eat” six times in the Gospel. Our first thoughts of when this happens probably turn to the action of eating and drinking at the time of Communion at Mass. Has that action—the standing up, walking in procession and the eating and drinking—become routine? Is it something that we just fall in line to do?

When I reflect on the image above, I am reminded of what it means to be in relationship, to be in communion, not just with Jesus but with all of humanity. To remain in communion with Jesus, we are invited to participate in the life of Jesus, to live as Jesus lived.

Who of us would not want to be in this picture? Who wouldn’t want to be at the table with Jesus? What incredible intimacy! What generous companionship! What immense love and acceptance!

To remain in the closeness of this relationship with Jesus, we too are invited to be body broken and blood poured out for others. To remain in Jesus and Jesus in us, we are called to live as Jesus lived. Are we able to love all without exception, to heal the brokenness of others, to be compassionate, to include others at our table, to forgive, to denounce wrong-doing?

The readings, the lyrics of the hymns we sing, the intercessory prayers and the words of our Eucharistic prayers provide clues to how it is that each of us is called to be “flesh and blood” not only to those who celebrate Eucharist with us, but also all our sisters and brothers.

Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit of God

This weekend’s readings ask us to search our hearts to discover what it is that might keep us from being the bread of life for others. What is it that disrupts the intense unity that Jesus desires for us? After all, the Eucharist, the bread of life—of everlasting life—is the gift of community and unity that we celebrate at each Mass.

Sometimes we need reminders of how we fall short in achieving that unity in ourselves, families, workplaces, communities, country, and the world. In the reading from Ephesians, the author spells out the activities that would “grieve” the Holy Spirit. Those behaviors or attitudes are bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, reviling, and malice.

We all learned the gifts or the fruits of the Holy Spirit when we received the Sacrament of Confirmation. We have a choice to collaborate with or to grieve the Spirit alive in the community. This weekend provides a time for us to do some self-examination, name the attitude or behavior to change, admit it, and finally to determine to get rid of it in our lives. We don’t want to frustrate the Spirit’s living influence in our lives. We don’t want to grieve the Spirit!

Wednesday is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holy day of obligation. Remember those? Here is a prayer from Jean Grant that addresses some of Mary’s wishes and dreams for us:

O Mary, you have told us in your many apparitions to pray for peace, through the use of the rosary. Calm the anger within many nations and world leaders. Guide us in extending the olive branch for peace to others. We come to you, today, with a sincere heart, and know that you, Mary, will not abandon us. Even when Jesus was not yet ready to begin his ministry at the wedding feast at Cana, you had faith and told the waiters to do as Jesus wished. Mary, help us to pray often. Bring back respect for others in our daily life. Guard the words that come from our mouths, and do not let us stand by when others are abused. So many people in the history of the world have put themselves above God and treated our world neighbors with disrespect. Protect the innocent children and faith-filled adults who continue to love your Son unconditionally. Amen.

And They Were Hungry

Jesus works miracles and feeds the multitudes. But like all meals, the filling food was great while it lasted, and then they were hungry again. So they go in search of Jesus to give them yet more signs, more miracles. Jesus tells them that he will give them lasting bread, living bread. He tells them, “I am the bread of life.”

Last week when we sang, “I Am the Bread of Life” by Steve Angrisano and Tom Booth, I reflected on the meaning of “I Am Who Am” as God’s gift of Jesus, present to all of us at that liturgy. Ordinary bread fills us for a short time. Jesus as the bread of life is continuous presence, continuous gift, continuous love of all.

The lyrics of the song are beautiful.

I am the Bread of Life, I am the hope in night, I am the door wide open, I am the shepherd’s might. I am the truth and light, I am the way and life, I Am Who Am and I am for you: Come and follow me.

I am bread for the world, hope for the hopeless. Come to me, and know that I’ll always be there with my arms open wide. I Am Who Am and I am for you: Come and follow me.

I give my heart to those in sorrow, I come to those who are in need; hope for today and for tomorrow, light for all who want to see.

These lyrics remind me of the action that love requires if we are being the Body of Christ to all we meet and encounter. We don’t just pray for the needs of our world and the needs of our neighbors. We also act. The Bread of Life in John’s gospel isn’t just Eucharist; it is also footwashing.

Footwashing reorients us. It places emphasis not only on ritual action, but also on acts of love, compassion, cooperation. connection, and community.

May our “hungers” be for the Bread that is living and lasting, overcoming hatred and division. And may our being fed include the feeding of others. Love changes everything!