August 19 // Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I: 1 Kings 19:4-8
Responsorial Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Reading II: Ephesians 4:30-5:2
Gospel: John 6:41-51

One Sunday, almost 30 years ago, when I was serving Communion at St. Mary’s Church in Canandaigua, a little girl, about 3 years old, lifted her hands up to receive. I said something like, “Not yet, honey…when you’re a little older.” She began to scream, and her screams echoed off the walls and vaulted ceiling of the church. Her mother, who appeared mortified, took her out very quickly.

This was a rather dramatic example of the centrality of the Eucharist in the lives of Jesus’ followers. Somehow this child knew, even though she would not have been able to explain it, that sharing in Holy Communion is extremely important for Christians.

Today’s gospel is a continuation of Jesus’ speech to the crowds who had followed him to Capernaum after they had eaten the miraculous loaves and fish. Jesus told them that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will remain in him and will live forever. He was introducing them to the Eucharist.

We believe that the elements of the Eucharist—the bread and the wine—do not change in appearance or taste, of course, but their fundamental identity changes. They are now Jesus’ body and blood—he is fully present to us in this food. None of this makes sense, unless we believe that Jesus is fully human and fully divine—unless we believe that he is the “living bread that came down from heaven.” Then we will have new and eternal life.

One caution: Jesus’ hearers are referred to as “the Jews” and they are portrayed rather negatively in this passage. Sadly, the misunderstanding of such passages from the Bible was one element which led to anti-Semitism. Of course Jesus’ audience was Jewish. So was Jesus himself!

And yes, his words about his flesh and his blood would have been strange and confusing when heard for the first time. They would have been, to any audience. But if Jesus was speaking the truth, (and we believe that he was!!) the Eucharist will lead us to love and not hatred. Are we open to becoming one with our Lord, to allowing him to remain in us?

Sheryl Zabel