Friday of the Third Week of Easter
Readings for Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter
First Published: Friday, May 05, 2006
Knead Bread?
Reflection:
A difficult choice faces us today. We are either attracted to the great story of St. Pauls conversion from the Acts of Apostles or we focus on the Bread of Life Discourse from the Gospel of St. John.
With regard to the Gospel, much of what I said yesterday would be appropriate:
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.
Now what I said yesterday:
How ironic that these words, coming from a humble and gentle man could be so misconstrued through the millennia since his life on earth ended. I put it to you the reader, is this statement of the nature of the Eucharist (Communion as it is called by our Protestant brethren) ambiguous? Is Jesus speaking in metaphor? The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. Does that statement feel like he is speaking in tongues?
Thats what I said yesterday and Im sticking to it. We are called to be a Eucharistic people. That means through the Blessed Sacrament we take into ourselves that real presence in the Eucharist and as Jesus tells us in the Gospel; Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Ask me, do I have an intimate relationship with Jesus when he is in me and I in him?
I ask once more if we believe in the Gospel, mustnt we also believe that Jesus left us more than simply a ritual in the upper room the night before he died? We must believe that his body, that with our natural eyes we see as bread, and his blood, that likewise we see as wine, has become our salvation at his word. And would it not be necessary for him to pass on that salvation to all generations through his Apostles, who through the imposition of hands and prayers have given the Church this holy legacy.
Our belief in this great gift must overcome great obstacles in our logical minds. We must look past what we see and feel and touch the truth that is spiritual. We must accept the conversion which it brings; the change of heart and mind that comes with the peace of Christ given so freely, so generously, so selflessly.
Ah, it is a difficult thing, our acceptance of the Lord in the Eucharist. It takes the faith of a child coupled with the spiritual understanding of an adult. It is not surprising that many are dissuaded from this great truth. But each time the Eucharistic Prayer is said we are once again invited to that sacrifice. How can we not join in with all our hearts? Pax
Readings for Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter
First Published: Friday, May 05, 2006
Knead Bread?
Reflection:
A difficult choice faces us today. We are either attracted to the great story of St. Pauls conversion from the Acts of Apostles or we focus on the Bread of Life Discourse from the Gospel of St. John.
With regard to the Gospel, much of what I said yesterday would be appropriate:
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.
Now what I said yesterday:
How ironic that these words, coming from a humble and gentle man could be so misconstrued through the millennia since his life on earth ended. I put it to you the reader, is this statement of the nature of the Eucharist (Communion as it is called by our Protestant brethren) ambiguous? Is Jesus speaking in metaphor? The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world. Does that statement feel like he is speaking in tongues?
Thats what I said yesterday and Im sticking to it. We are called to be a Eucharistic people. That means through the Blessed Sacrament we take into ourselves that real presence in the Eucharist and as Jesus tells us in the Gospel; Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Ask me, do I have an intimate relationship with Jesus when he is in me and I in him?
I ask once more if we believe in the Gospel, mustnt we also believe that Jesus left us more than simply a ritual in the upper room the night before he died? We must believe that his body, that with our natural eyes we see as bread, and his blood, that likewise we see as wine, has become our salvation at his word. And would it not be necessary for him to pass on that salvation to all generations through his Apostles, who through the imposition of hands and prayers have given the Church this holy legacy.
Our belief in this great gift must overcome great obstacles in our logical minds. We must look past what we see and feel and touch the truth that is spiritual. We must accept the conversion which it brings; the change of heart and mind that comes with the peace of Christ given so freely, so generously, so selflessly.
Ah, it is a difficult thing, our acceptance of the Lord in the Eucharist. It takes the faith of a child coupled with the spiritual understanding of an adult. It is not surprising that many are dissuaded from this great truth. But each time the Eucharistic Prayer is said we are once again invited to that sacrifice. How can we not join in with all our hearts? Pax
posted by Deacon Jim | 3:56 AM
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