By +Guy Sansaricq
Deuteronomy 8, 2-3 +14-16; Ps.147; 1 Corinthians 10, 16-17; John 6, 51-58
Festive street processions usually accompany this Feast. The Church likes to manifest publicly her profound joy at the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus in the Eucharist. It’s a teaching that Jesus himself forcefully proclaimed: “I AM TH BREAD OF LIFE. HE WHO EATS MY FLESH AND DRINKS MY BLOOD SHALL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.” You may remember how some people turned their backs on Jesus the first time he made this pronouncement yet Jesus remained adamant. He really wants us to be sanctified by his very flesh and blood.
Faith in the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus in the bread and wine of the Eucharist has been constant from the apostolic time up to the sixteenth century. Even Martin Luther the founder of Protestantism adhered to this strong biblical belief.
Communion is requested by Jesus as much as Baptism. Baptism gives new birth. It’s the first step of a journey. Communion is the continued renewal of one’s initial baptismal “YES” to God. It’s the food on the road. As a matter of fact, rejection of Eucharistic communion is the betrayal of one’s baptism. Many good simple people following misguided preachers are not aware that this Jesus they love so much is the one who instituted the Eucharist. The Eucharistic Banquet like nothing else enhances our COMMUNION OF LOVE WITH JESUS. THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH and wants to live not simply among us but also WITHIN US.