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Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Collect
O God, who have prepared for those who love you ood things which no eye can see, fill our hearts, we pray, with the warmth of your love, so that, loving you in all things and above all things, we may attain your promises, which surpass every human desire. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection
Today’s Gospel forms part of the sixth chapter of John’ Gospel. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels, in John we do not find the account of institution of the Eucharist during the last supper. Instead, John deals with this theme in chapter 6, following the account of the multiplication of loaves. And today the Church presents us with the core of this lengthy speech that Jesus gives after the miracle.
With reference to the Eucharist in a very clear way, Jesus offers us his Body to eat and his Blood to drink. He doesn’t beat around the bush or make his word more palatable to his audience. But, with a very direct tone and through words that sound shocking to the listener, he exclaims that “if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in you.” No wonder the Jews didn’t understand him and started arguing with one another! It comes to no surprise that John uses the Jews’ objection to address an important issue at the time of writing his gospel! Even more, Jesus’ words show that the Eucharist is a necessary condition without which there is no life: “if you do not eat … and drink … you will not have life in you.”
No, it’s not enough to believe in Jesus! Eternal life is intimately linked with a full communion between Jesus and me. And this perfect communion does not limit itself to believing but requires full participation between me and the One who is giving himself: “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in him.” This same communion with Jesus is nothing other than a sharing in the intimate communion between the Father and the Son: “As I, who am sent by the living Father, myself draw life from the Father, so whoever eats me will draw life from me.” He takes the initiative and offers himself. Thus, through the Eucharist we taste … and experience God’s life in us because we enter in the divine communion. What can be more intimate than this? Is there anything that can satisfy the human heart more than this? NOTHING!
Prayer
Lord, what great effect the phrase “lives in me and I live in him” has on me. Through my actions I profoundly desire to be part of you! How much I long to really allow you to be part of me! No longer two. No longer me and You. But just We. I in you and you in me.
And this intimacy is offered to me daily, in every mass! But I still haven’t come to know you enough. Otherwise, I won’t allow myself to remain distant form you not even for one day. I won’t stay without receiving you every day and give myself completely to you!
I am yours, Lord, and my heart is restless until it rests in You.
Amen.
