Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, June 14, 2020

DT 8:2-3, 14B-16A 1COR 10:16-17   JN 6:51-58

Scripture

Jesus said to the crowds:  I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.

The Parable

• The Truth about Heaven and Hell

We Return to the Table of the Lord

• Our last communal celebration was the Feast of St. Joseph-March 19th

We are More Mindful

• Of giving the Lord more room in our hearts and lives
• That Jesus is the Bread of Life

The Israelites and Manna

• Moses reminds the Israelites to give their commitment to the Lord
• Give the Lord the first place in their heart
• Take into their hearts God’s Words of Love, Hope and Healing
• God’s promise that peace without justice in an impossibility
• Israelites knew the oppression of the Egyptian Pharaoh
• They would never be at peace in Egypt
• God heard their cries for freedom-they were created in his dignity

We Have Fasted from the Eucharistic Jesus for a Long Time

• Our fast reminded us: That Jesus is always close to us
• That our hearts are His Tabernacle
• That Jesus walks hand in hand with us

Jesus’ Body is Really Present

• In the Consecrated Bread
• In His Word
• In those close to us and not so close to us
• Hopefully you kept the Scriptures close -They are God’s love letters

Your Sojourn During Self-Quarantine

• Given you a heart to see Jesus in others-together we are the Body of Christ
• We are less if someone is not given a place at the Table
• We are less if we do not reach out in word and action to make a difference in other’s lives
• All are welcome in our lives and all are welcome around the Lord’s Table

All Lives Matter-All Are Welcome in Our Hearts

• Black lives, Brown lives, Asian lives, Native American lives
• Moslem lives, Jewish lives, LBGT lives

Sharing Jesus Around His Table is About One Thing

• It is about unselfish love
• It is about a love that looks into the heart of every person
• It is about Jesus unselfish love spilling over and drawing in the hearts of all people
• It is about love that connects our unselfish hearts

Remember

• We want our hearts to become more like the heart of Jesus
• St. Augustine: We have become one with whom we have received!
• Let us become Jesus and be Jesus for each other!
• If only the bread and wine are changed into the Precious Body and Blood of the Risen Jesus and our hearts remain the same, we fall short of the Mystery of the Eucharist
• We need to become Jesus for every person

Questions for Reflection

• What impacted you from today’s Gospel and/or homily?
• How has being self-quarantined changed your attitude toward the Mass?
• How do you understand the Table of the Lord being for all?
• Were you drawn more to the Scriptures during quarantine?
• How are you changed by the Precious Body and Blood?

Live Connected

• Reflect upon how you are drawn to bring Jesus to others because of your participation in Mass.  Make an extra effort this week to reach out to someone who might need to encounter Jesus through you.