My friends, we must realize from all the consecutive weekends now, with the theme of the “body and blood” of Christ, that those who put this cycle of readings together, really wanted us to explore and ponder the depth of meaning that there is here!  So again, this theme is before us…  As we have discussed these past several weekends, Jesus surely meant for us to ponder more than that the gift of the Eucharist is all about his human flesh and human blood—right? The piece that we need to remember though, is that of the hierarchical belief that the Mass is a redo of the Crucifixion, and the term, “altar,” speaks to that. 

   In reality, with the updates of the Second Vatican Council, we have come to see that the Mass is really about Jesus’ invitation to each of us to be one with him—to model our lives more and more after his—after our God who loved us so much as to send Jesus to show us how to live—as someone else has said, “our one precious life,” well.  With that notion, we no longer call this, (motion toward the table) “an altar of sacrifice,” but “a table of welcome.”

   And as always, let’s see what the Scriptures have to say.  Let’s also, cut to the chase, and look at Jesus’ words in the gospel of John.  He says, “This is the bread come down from heaven, it is not the kind of bread your ancestors ate, for they died—whoever eats this kind of bread will live forever.” 

   Now to me, I am not sure how a thinking person couldn’t see in Jesus’ words something more than a discussion of his physical flesh and blood, and a command of sorts, to adore him there on the “altar,” while guiltily “beating our breasts” for having caused the Crucifixion to happen in the first place. 

   I did a bit of exegesis to see what those more learned than me had to say on this issue: If one looks basically at more conservative Catholic writers, the emphasis is clearly on the Eucharist being Jesus’ real human flesh and real human blood, with no connection to the “eucharist” found in our sisters and brothers in our world.  Purely Christian writers speak of Jesus’ words in John, “I am the bread of life,” saying this is a metaphor that Jesus uses to describe his spiritual nourishment, and the role he plays in providing true hope, joy, and satisfaction in life.  And to me, with regard to Jesus’ words in John’s gospel today that the bread he gives is not the kind of bread that your ancestors ate, says that he means so much more than, elements on an altar!

   The other readings seem to support and challenge believers too, to get beyond this surface idea and understand that the gift of the Eucharist is intended to help us become our best—to in effect not waste our precious lives on “adoration” of physical elements, but on “imitation” of a life poured out in an over-the-top way—that of Jesus, to show us the best ways to live out our own precious lives, going beyond what we do “at our tables of prayer,” becoming “bread” ourselves that will feed not only, physical bodies when needed, but more so, the emotional and spiritual needs of ourselves and others. 

   The 1^st reading from Proverbs, considered Wisdom literature, is all about, “abandoning foolishness, that you may live and walk the path of understanding.”  My take on this is, “don’t remain at the table, but become what you eat, and then share it with others.” All the instructions that some male priests give before communion is shared at Mass about, “who is welcome to receive,” is in my mind, a slap in the face to the memory of Jesus of Nazareth who took the meal outside in order that those who weren’t welcome in the synagogue of his time, could be included. When we make anyone “unwelcome” at the table, what we are giving out ceases to be “the Eucharist!”

   Jesus, in his earthly ministry wanted those attracted to him to get beyond the physical food he provided, to take on the “whole” of what he was giving them—his mind, heart, and soul, a combination that would effectively move them out, into their world, to serve, not only themselves, but all others in need. 

   Jesus was asking these folks of old, and is asking us too, to see “his body, his flesh, his blood” in all that we meet in our world, doing our best—to help others become all that they were meant to be too.  And as always friends, I give you this disclaimer—giving to others includes yourselves—it’s a balance.  Additionally, sharing life’s gifts with others doesn’t mean giving them everything they ask for, but helping in “the journey” for them to realize, a just life.

   Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians shared today, must have been experiencing some of the same small-mindedness that frustrated Jesus as we hear him saying, “Don’t act like fools, but like wise and thoughtful people—do not continue in ignorance.”  I would add, get below the surface of things—don’t get lost in ideas that may sound good, and give comfort initially, but basically get us nowhere. 

   As I quoted in last Sunday’s homily from a bishop in the developing world, “we can’t bow in adoration to the Eucharist [on the table] and work to put down Jesus’ “body and blood” suffering in our world.”  We simply can’t! 

   So, my friends, let us regularly receive the “body and blood, soul and divinity of our brother Jesus, the Christ, and then become that same body, blood, soul and divinity—sharing it with our world, in the forms of understanding, acceptance, mercy and justice—giving of, and for others.  Stated perhaps more simply, “let us touch our world with as much “body and blood” of Jesus, which means all that he taught, and gave us, as we are able.  Amen? Amen!