"Whoever eats my flesh and
drinks my blood has eternal life"
John 6: 51 - 58
Sunday Word: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/081918.cfm
Certainly the mountain of press that was spent on the Catholic
Church and the whole tarnished image of sexual scandal in the priesthood,
especially in light of the most recent claims coming from several Dioceses on
the east coast, bring us to make the same cry.
Scandal caused by irresponsible behavior, including that of Bishops,
touches us deeply with disgust and disappointment. In the end, the path to healing is to shine
the bright light of truth on those responsible.
In this way we know the truth can set us free as Jesus stated. But,
there is another kind of scandal that challenges us as well, albeit in a
different way.
That may be referred to as the scandal of truth. The scandal of
straight talk which brings a particular issue into the light of day; it forces
us to make a choice about our own thinking and behavior. Such we may apply to Jesus himself for it is
clear from the Scriptures that he indeed confronted with the truth and meant
what he said. What he said was sometimes subtle like many of the parables which
bring the listeners to reflection but at times it was a kind of direct and
undeniable truth.
This Sunday we’ve been given a shining light not as a punishment but certainly to get our
attention: “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 . . .” In the original Greek, John emphasizes the literal
meaning of Jesus' word to “eat the
flesh.” John relates that Jesus
stressed to gnaw the flesh or chew the flesh, as in the act of tearing a piece
of meat apart with our teeth as we eat. In fact it is so literal, the Greek
refers to the way an animal would eat!
Cannibalism? This was an
accusation flung at the early Christians by the pagan world in regards to their
Eucharistic assemblies. Rather than qualify his statement as more symbolic than
literal, as Bishop Barron explains, Jesus dug in all the more.
To the sensibilities of the early Jews such a literal picture
was repulsive, as it surely is to us as well.
And apparently a number of his disciples took it just that way (not the
twelve.) While Jesus obviously does not mean to eat human flesh, let alone, he
must mean something else. With the eyes
of faith and an open heart we come to understand the meaning of this unique teaching.
The power of these words was not only its literal imagery but
even more so the challenge to the status quo that it brought to Jesus’ audience
and to us. Jesus’ emphasis on chewing his body and drinking his blood is a
clear reference for the early Christians to the real presence of Christ in the
Eucharist. At those assemblies, the
Christians found a fellowship among themselves and an encounter with the living
Christ which created their sense of community.
They knew that Christ was truly present among them under the signs of
bread and wine and that in feasting on those species, they shared in the life
of the risen Lord. It was truly living bread. It is all
gift.
While the ancient Jews were familiar with Temple sacrifice
offered by their High Priests, as animals were slain and blood sprinkled on the
people in an act of atonement, they would have found the sacrifice of a human
as reprehensible. This challenged the status quo of public worship which placed
the emphasis on the sacred Word or Torah revered at synagogue services by the
early Jews of the time.. So, this goes beyond what is literal and touches on
the realm of faith. So, is our Mass a meal or the precepts of the sacred Torah
that unite us to God in his Word?
The first reading from the book of Proverbs says: “. . . She has dressed her meat, mixed her
wine, yes, she has spread her table . . . come, eat of my food, and drink of
the wine I have mixed . . . that you may advance in the way of understanding.” It sounds like there is something very special
about this food we share at the meal we celebrate. Wisdom invites us as she “.
. . calls from the heights out over the
city . . . turn in here.”
Not only are we wise to eat at this meal, as the book of Proverbs
remind us, but in doing so we create a relationship between ourselves and the
one who has provided the meal for us – between us and the risen Savior. What
our early Christian brothers and sisters believed, so do we today. That encounter with the living Lord not only
sustains us in this life spiritually, prepares us for the heavenly banquet, but
likewise creates a communion between ourselves and our brothers and sisters in
the faith.
The unique character of this meal is that it is unlike any
other type of food. While we are
certainly guided by the Law of God as we read in the Torah, the first five
books of the Old Testament, we are a people of relationship and encounter. In the Eucharistic gathering we encounter the
living Christ in his “living bread” and we find ourselves in a spiritual
relationship of brother and sisterhood with those who share in this living
bread. For us Catholic - Christians,
this meal is the primary place we come to feast. That is our identity. The Word of God feeds
us and we are fed with Christ himself who is food for our journey to eternal
life. The Church is made visible and we are fed by Christ in our midst.
The literal truth that what Christ alone provides is more than
what we could ever be given by technology, science, medicine, or any other
person. The wonders of science,
technology and medicine are indeed true accomplishments to be celebrated. Yet,
we are confronted and confused often by the promises that are made by leaders,
television advertisements, new medical treatments, and the like that promises
far more than they are able to deliver.
Marketing can be seductive. “Read
the fine print” before you buy.
Only the words of Jesus can be ultimately counted upon. Only Christ does indeed deliver what he
promises. If our Lord says he is the
living bread – he is. If he says that
“unless you eat (chew) the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do
not have life,” we don’t. If he states,
“he who feeds on me will have life because of me,” we will. As Bishop Barron
again states: “What God says – is.”
This is the meaning of true that Jesus speaks of. The scandal is its truth which confronts our
very lives and the way in which we choose to embrace what we profess. The
scandal of Jesus’ words still rings true today and confronts all the naysayers
which dismiss any relevance of the Christian message or of Christ himself or of
Christians.
What or who is my bread of life? Is it Christ? Where do I go to be fed?
Receive our oblation, O Lord,
by which is brought about a glorious exchange,
that, by offering what you have given,
we may merit to receive your very self.
Through Christ our Lord.
(Prayer over the offerings)
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