Gospel Reflection June 7 – Deacon Frank Iannarino
Sunday, June 7
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
John 6: 51-58
Gospel:
Jesus said to the Jewish 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.”
Gospel Reflection:
This Sunday’s gospel provides a feast for our souls. Jesus identifies himself as “…the living bread that came down from heaven.” He invites the Jewish crowd to feast on his very flesh, his presence; in doing so, they will live forever.
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is our feast of food, presence, and surrender. All of Christ’s redemptive love is summed up in the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation . The food we bless, break, and share is our way of life, our participation in the continuing earthly and heavenly presence of Christ Jesus.
This solemnity invites our full participation into Christ divine presence. We do not just consume Christ presence at Mass. We are challenged to live out on earth, the divine love we consume. We belong not only with the other people in the pews in our parish here at Saint Brigid, but with every saint and sinner who has received the Eucharist in ages past. Our communion of saints helps us know that love is possible in our age.
The Eucharist does not end when we leave Mass but ignites God’s love in us that heals our fears so that we can trust Christ alone. Without Christ, we rely solely on ourselves, and our hungers remain. In Christ and through Christ, we may live generous and holy lives and service to all people. As we celebrate this great Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, let us receive this sacrament with gratitude and faith.
Deacon Frank Iannarino