Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” In today’s Gospel reading (John 6:52-59), the Jews are scandalized over Jesus’ words saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” This idea was very difficult for the Jews to accept at the time of Christ. Today, it is also difficult for many of our Christian brothers and sisters to accept. Catholics are the only group who truly believe that the Eucharist meal is the body and blood of Christ. By participating in the Eucharist, we are obeying the will of God. The blessing and breaking of the bread is referred to many times in the Gospels as well as in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, the manna from heaven nourished the Jews as the traveled the dessert. In the miracle of the loaves and fishes, a few loaves of bread are abundantly multiplied to feed 5000 people with excess. These events were to help the Jews understand Jesus’ claim that He is the Bread of Life. “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me.” We should be seeking the superabundant “bread of life.” Jesus offered his apostles his body and blood at the last supper. He became the sacrificial Paschal Lamb during his crucifixion. His blood was placed on the souls of his apostles to strengthen and protect them. During the Eucharist, we relive the Paschal Supper and are given this same superabundant life through the body and blood of Christ. The same blood shed for us at the crucifixion is given to us in the Eucharist celebration. Unless you east the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God, you have no life in you. When you approach the Eucharist, think about the abundant life you are about to receive. Think about the eternal life which you are accepting. Remember that the mark of the Paschal Lamb will be placed on your soul.

A Simple Prayer

Amen, Amen – I believe.

Amen, Amen – Nourish my soul.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon