First Reading
Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom has set a feast before us.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 34:2-3,4-5,6-7
A prayer of praise to God for his goodness
Second Reading
Ephesians 5:15-20
Filled with the Spirit, Christians strive to follow the will of the Lord.
Gospel Reading
John 6:51-58
Jesus teaches that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will live
forever.
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 that I will give
is my flesh for the life of the world."
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying,
"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
Jesus said to them,
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,
you do not have life within you.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
has eternal life,
and I will raise him on the last day.
For my flesh is true food,
and my blood is true drink.
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me and I in him.
Just as the living Father sent me
and I have life because of the Father,
so also the one who feeds on me
will have life because of me.
This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever."
Background on the Gospel Reading
On this Sunday, we continue to read from the sixth chapter of the Gospel
of John. Today's Gospel elaborates further on the teaching that Jesus
began in our liturgy last week. In that reading, the crowds wondered about
how Jesus could say that he had come down from heaven because they knew
Jesus to be the son of Joseph. In this Gospel, some have difficulty with
Jesus' teaching that he is the living bread sent from God. Recall that
Jesus had told them that just as God gave the Israelites manna to sustain
them in the desert, so now God has sent new manna that will give eternal
life. We hear the concluding verse of last week's Gospel repeated in
today's reading: Jesus himself is the bread sent by God; Jesus' flesh is
the bread that is given for the life of the world.
Among the stumbling blocks for those who heard but did not understand
Jesus is the teaching that the bread that Jesus will give is his own
flesh. In response to the people who quarreled over his words, Jesus
teaches with even greater emphasis that salvation comes to those who eat
his Body and Blood. Jesus doesn't seem to answer the question posed about
how salvation will come about, perhaps because this reality can only be
understood after his death and Resurrection. Instead, Jesus teaches about
the life that he will give to the world.
To many ears, Jesus' words are jarring and difficult to hear. Many who
heard Jesus could not accept what he said. Many today continue to struggle
to accept these words. But they are important words because they reveal
our intimate connection with Jesus.
This is the mystery that is at the heart of our eucharistic theology. In
the elements of bread and wine, Jesus' Body and Blood are made truly
present. When we share in the Body and Blood of Christ, Jesus himself
comes to dwell within us. This communion with the Lord makes us one body,
brings us eternal life, and sends us forth to be Christ's body for the
life of the world.
Family Connection
Our faith teaches us that when we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, Jesus
himself is present to us. Through the actions of the Mass, the bread and
wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ. This is what we mean by
the word transubstantiation. Jesus makes himself present to all who
receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
If there are children in your family who have already celebrated their
First Communion, invite them to share their memories of this special day.
If you have family photos from this occasion, bring them out and share
them. Adults in the family may also share memories or photos of their
First Communion. Then read together today's Gospel, John 6:51-58. Reflect
together on what Jesus means when he calls himself the "living bread."
Recall that every time we receive the Eucharist, Jesus keeps the promise
he made in today's Gospel. Perhaps family members can share what it means
for them to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Together, thank God for this
gift of Holy Communion. Pray together the Lord's Prayer or today's psalm.
Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings
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