During the month of August, the liturgical cycle shifts to readings from the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, the Bread of Life discourse. In light of the recent Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, it is good to reflect on what Jesus says about himself.
He is the bread of life. He comes down from heaven from his Father to give life to the world. Later on in this chapter he will tell his disciples to actually consume his flesh and blood.
These are difficult teachings and for those who are literalists, the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel becomes very problematic. The Church’s ancient teaching on the Eucharist suddenly is ignored and bracketed as being only “symbolic.” Yet, the Eucharist is not merely a symbol or a sign. The Eucharist is real. It is true.
When we consume the host and the wine which have been consecrated/transubstantiated by the invocation of the Holy Spirit, we are consuming Jesus Christ, body, blood, soul, and divinity. God literally becomes one with us in a physical as well as spiritual way.
Moreover, this encounter has an eternal effect: it affords us the opportunity for eternal life.
This week, reflect on the gift of the Eucharist in which we truly taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
