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Body & Blood |
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Dear Preachers:
Today’s Gospel recounts the multiplication of the loaves and fishes for five thousand men – Lord knows how many women and children were there too! At first glance, this miracle might not seem to directly connect with the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Wouldn’t a reading from the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the Eucharist, seem more fitting?
The Gospel opens by describing Jesus’ ministry: "Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured." By his words and deeds, Jesus proclaims the kingdom of God – God’s active, present love breaking into the world. From him we learn that the kingdom happens whenever people love one another, respond to each other’s needs, care for the poor and sick, and, as in today’s Gospel, feed the hungry.
The crowds have come, drawn by Jesus’ reputation. They even venture out to a "deserted place" to hear him – some hoping for healing. A "deserted place"… filled with hungry, needy people. Sounds like our world today, doesn’t it?
Meals are a recurring theme throughout the Gospels. At these meals, Jesus made visible the reign of God. He also told parables about banquets, pointing toward the ultimate meal – the Eucharist – where he offers himself to us. Of special note is the fact that the story of the feeding of the crowds appears six times in the four Gospels. In today’s version, Jesus challenges his disciples: "Give them food yourselves." He is teaching them, and us, to feed the hungers of others. That’s what he did, and that’s what he expects us to do.
In Jesus’ time, the phrase "body and blood" referred to the whole person. So, when he gives us his body and blood, he gives his entire self. In today’s Gospel, he calls the Twelve to feed the hungry with what little they have. He asks the same of us – to give our whole selves in imitation of him. Feeding the hungry wasn’t just about filling stomachs, was it?
Notice also: the crowd isn’t told to form a line and receive a ration of bread and fish. Instead, Jesus has them sit down "in groups of fifty." He seems intent on forming small communities, encouraging people to share, to talk, to get to know each other. Sounds like church to me. God’s saving presence continues in the world through us, as we gather and share this meal. Together, we are the Body of Christ.
The mystery of Christ’s presence begins with his real, human body – flesh and blood, feelings and emotions, just like ours. His body is a sign of God’s intimate involvement in our world. When, at the Last Supper, Jesus says, "This is my body," he gives his full human reality to us. In the Eucharist, through communion, we share that life with him and with one another.
Earlier in his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul criticizes the community for receiving the Body of Christ, but failing to be the Body of Christ. The wealthy were not sharing with the poor; the comfortable ignored the weak. Paul reminds them – and us – that at the meal, Jesus took bread, broke it, and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." To remember him is not merely to think of him, but to live as he did – to give ourselves for others.
That’s what today’s Gospel teaches: even with limited resources, the disciples are told to share what they have. And they do. On this feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, we celebrate Christ’s complete self-gift to us – one that empowers us to give ourselves, just as he did.
As a boy, I remember the tradition of visiting multiple churches on this feast day for the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. People went from church to church to "visit the Blessed Sacrament." In light of today’s feast, we might reflect: in what ways am I being called to see others as the Body of Christ? How might I think less of myself and more of others?
We also had Eucharistic processions through the neighborhood. Looking back, those events remind me that Christ does not remain confined within the four walls of the church. He moves into our neighborhoods and our daily lives. Which means our everyday activities are united in one sacred movement – with Christ in our midst.
Today’s Scriptures remind us: we who eat the Body and Blood of Christ become the living, visible, breathing Body of Christ in the world. We return to the Eucharist not because we are special, nor because we’ve earned it by living flawless lives. No, we come to this meal to receive Christ, who remains with us in our eating and in our feeding of others.
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062225.cfm
In Memory of Pope Francis On Caring for the Poor "To love God and neighbor is not something abstract, but profoundly concrete: it means seeing in every person the face of the Lord to be served, to serve him concretely." Pope Francis, Homily at Mass for the Poor, St. Peter’s Basilica, Nov 10, 2013.
"Give them some food yourselves." Luke 9: 13
I love visualizing this scripture passage with five thousand men being organized into groups of fifty by the Twelve. Everyone is hungry and to be sure, there must have been women disciples, who planned ahead and were toting picnic baskets. Not to detract from the miracle that Jesus performed by turning five loaves and two fishes into sustenance for all, I kind of think he is saying, "We are willing to share what we have, will you do the same?" Jesus is asking us the same question today.
Bread for the World writes that, Today, chronic hunger affects 1 in every 11 people. Picture all the people in the United States and the European Union – almost that many people around the world don’t have enough to eat. Hunger causes immense suffering and sometimes death – especially among young children. Those who do survive early childhood malnutrition face lifelong health and learning problems. Adults can’t be fully productive without enough nutritious food. Countries where many people are hungry have weaker economies. And as long as people are hungry, the world is less secure. Here in the United States, nearly 14 million children in the U.S. worry about their next meal. Many children who "look healthy" do not get enough nutrients. Their health and ability to learn in school are weakened.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church takes things a step further (2269): "The acceptance by human society of murderous famines, without efforts to remedy them, is a scandalous injustice and a grave offense. Those whose usurious and avaricious dealings lead to the hunger and death of their brethren in the human family indirectly commit homicide, which is imputable to them" (Cf. Amos 8: 4-10).
The problem is too big, you say. What is a problem is one’s failing to take any action to end hunger, either locally or globally. Globally, there are organizations you can join like Bread for the World, Rise Against Hunger, and Catholic Charities. Locally, Catholic Parish Outreach (CPO) Food Bank needs more participants to help stock the shelves and distribute food. This need is critical as CPO served over 101,000 people last year alone. Join in the efforts to provide nourishment to our hungry citizens with the Oak City Cares Meals Ministry. You can also serve dinner at the Helen Wright Shelter for women or lunches at the Women’s Center. To participate, contact: socialconcern@hnojnc.org.
"Give them some food yourselves."
Barbara Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director Office of Human Life, Dignity, and Justice Ministries Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, Raleigh, NC
Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. "Faith Book" is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home. From today’s Gospel reading:
Then taking the fine loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, Jesus said the blessing over them, broke them and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd
Reflection:
Trusting in our God, who constantly nourishes us, we bring our hungers to the eucharistic celebration today. We also name the hungers of our world. Like the fleeing Israelites fed in the desert, the Middle East and Europe are swamped with modern, desperate refugees also fleeing tyrants and pursuing armies.
So, we ask ourselves:
POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES
"One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out." ---Pope Francis
Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.
Please write to: Warren Gregory #0156518 (On death row since 5/18/1993) David Lynch #0251740 (5/27/1993) Jeffrey Barrett #0021418 (6/1/1993) ----Central Prison P.O. 247 Phoenix, MD 21131
Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland.
For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/
On this page you can sign "The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty." Also, check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/
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