Written by Sr. Rosemary Finnegan, O.P.
Did you ever try to feed 5,000 men? I’ve seen how much food it takes to feed just our men here when they have their ‘Men Answering the Call” Beer and Brats evenings! I can’t imagine feeding 5,000, and that’s not counting the women and children, as Jesus did. And, as if just experiencing Jesus feeding those multitudes with only 5 loaves and 2 fish isn’t enough, the disciples dared to ask him in our gospel today to give them a sign so that they can see and believe in him!
Indeed, one can understand how those early followers must have been confused when he taught that he is the bread of life, and that whoever comes to him will never hunger, and whoever believes in him will never thirst. When he said they must eat his flesh and drink his blood, his words must have sounded strange. Yes, his words and teaching about his body and blood are central to our Catholic faith. We truly believe that Jesus is really present with us and nourishes us when we celebrate Eucharist together. The bread and wine are changed, transformed, into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Knowing we believe this, let’s turn the tables, so to speak, and instead of Jesus answering his followers’ questions, like he did in today’s reading, what if Jesus asked questions of us, his modern day followers? After all, we’ve had the privilege of the church’s history of celebrating Mass where God has shaped and molded us into the people God wants us to be.
I imagine Jesus asking us questions like:
- How do you better participate in the celebration of the Eucharist?
- What do you bring to the table?
- How are you being transformed through Eucharist?
- In what way does receiving communion unite you to all your sisters and brothers, especially those who are poor?
- When Mass is over, how do you live out my mission?
Those are penetrating questions Jesus could ask of us, and well worth further reflection. As you’ve seen in the bulletin, you’ll have an opportunity to delve deeper into understanding the Eucharist when we host an ‘Evening of Reflection on the Eucharist’ on May 8 given by Fr. George Dunne. During our Diocesan’s Jubilee ‘Year of the Eucharist’, what better way not only to be informed about this great gift, but to give great thanks.
As Pope Francis said on the feast of Corpus Christi in 2015, “The Eucharist is the source of love for the life of the church and a school of charity and solidarity.” In response to that quote, I think Jesus would say “Amen."
