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 do not have life within you.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 6:52-59

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?"  Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you.  Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink.  Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him.  Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven.  Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever." These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

 

In today’s Gospel reading, 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. 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.  Christ is pretty clear about what he wants us to do.  It is not a symbolic representation, but the actual 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 they traveled through the dessert. In the miracle of the loaves and fishes, a few loaves of bread are abundantly multiplied to feed 5000 people with an abundant supply left over. These events were to help the Jews understand Jesus’ claim that He is the Bread of Life. “Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” We should be seeking the super-substantial “bread of life.” Jesus offered the Apostles his body and blood at the last supper. He became the sacrificial Paschal Lamb during that Passover meal just prior to his crucifixion. His blood was placed on the souls of his apostles to strengthen and protect them.  To keep evil from entering their homes. During the Eucharist, we extend this Paschal Supper and are given this same superabundant life through the body and blood of Christ. The same bloodshed for us at the crucifixion is given to us in the Eucharist celebration. It allows us to mark the door leading to our soul to protect us from evil.  Unless you eat 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.

May the blood of the Pascal Lamb strengthen me and protect me

May it nourish my soul and give me eternal life.

Amen, Amen – I believe.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon