Gospel Reflection June 22 – Fr. Black
Sunday, June 22
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Luke 9: 11b-17
Gospel:
Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God,
and he healed those who needed to be cured.
As the day was drawing to a close,
the Twelve approached him and said,
“Dismiss the crowd
so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms
and find lodging and provisions;
for we are in a deserted place here.”
He said to them, “Give them some food yourselves.”
They replied, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have,
unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people.”
Now the men there numbered about five thousand.
Then he said to his disciples,
“Have them sit down in groups of about fifty.”
They did so and made them all sit down.
Then taking the five loaves and the two fish,
and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing over them, broke them,
and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
They all ate and were satisfied.
And when the leftover fragments were picked up,
they filled twelve wicker baskets.
Gospel Reflection:
“Looking up to Heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples.” These words ring familiar in our ears, and even in our hearts. These words and actions are repeated daily in the sanctuary of our church. Each time we celebrate Mass, we break bread together. As we do this, we remember not only today’s gospel, but also the Last Supper. It was Jesus’ intent that what He began on the night before He died, would be repeated until the end of time. This ensures us that His presence in the Eucharist will always feed our spirits and nourish our hope.
As we continue to gather to receive the Eucharist, we are united to the sacrificial nature of our Lord and united to one another.
Father James Black
