The Introduction
In our own experience, we have denied the Christ in whom we follow. We have not trusted wholeheartedly, accepted readily, nor cared compassionately. In our church, we have distorted the image of Christ who leads us. We have not engaged is mission enthusiastically, given talents generously, nor held a broad vision. In our world, we have not acted on the message of Christ who challenges us. We have not treated the earth as sacred, its people with equity, not its children as truly blessed. Amen.
The Scripture (John 6:51-58)
Jesus said to the people: ‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven; the one who eats of this bread, will live forever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh’. Some began to dispute among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you; those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them. As the living God sent me, and I live because of God, so those who eat me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as our ancestors ate and died; those who eat this bread will live forever’.
The Story
It’s sometimes said that the advertisements in between television programmes are often more entertaining than the actual programmes themselves. In what is such a short space of time, the adverts can awaken our interest, capture our imagination, or tug at our emotions. Some of the most memorable ones are those clever enough to make us laugh, especially if it’s at ourselves, or at the eccentricities of day-to-day living. A few years ago an advert appeared on screen for a small, stylish city car. It took an unusual angle by leading the viewer to think one thing and then have to realise another. A number of images were played out in sequence. One showed a seasoned fisherman going out to sea on a trawler. He then held up a sign that said, ‘I feel seasick’. The next image showed a tough-looking bouncer standing menacingly outside a nightclub. He then held up a sign saying ‘sensitive’. A third image showed a baby fastened in the back seat of a car scribbling on a notepad. The notepad was then reversed to reveal a line of complex mathematical equations. Finally, the advert moved to a picture of a car being marketed. Underneath was the caption: ‘Sometimes what you see isn’t all you get’. The point being just as there was much more to each of the three images that could be seen at first glance, so there was much more to the car being advertised than might at first been thought. So it is with Eucharist – we receive Jesus.
The Reflection
Do a quick calculation of how many times you’ve received communion in your life. If you’re a cradle Catholic, and have been taking communion since the age of seven, that is, technically speaking, a LOT of communion. The numbers don’t really matter, of course, but the habitual reception of communion does. What do we GET, exactly, when we get Eucharist? The Church teaches that the bread and wine are Christ’s Body and Blood. Transubstantiation is the million- dollar word for the event, but it’s mostly helpful for theologians. Long before the invention of that word, table fellowship was shared among Christians. They understood that eating and drinking in memory of Jesus made them bearers of his life. They knew that sharing his supper also meant they shared his saving mission in the world. They believed that taking part in this meal was a commitment, a covenant in flesh and blood. This was serious business. To claim Jesus in this way meant that they might die for him. Most of us in the receiving line at communion time will not be asked to die for Christ. But every one of us IS being asked to live for Christ. Are we in the right line, or aren’t we?
The Commissioning
Christ Jesus, we long to share your bread that gives us life. Feed us, heal us.
I am the bread of life. You who come to me shall not hunger.
Christ Jesus, we long to share your saving cup that stills our thirst. Feed us, heal us.
I am the bread of life. You who come to me shall not hunger.
Christ Jesus, we long to share in your feast of love and sacrifice. Feed us, heal us.
I am the bread of life. You who come to me shall not hunger.
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