May we open our hearts to the mystery of the Eucharist!
The 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time presents another challenging and
profound teaching from Jesus. In the preceding Sundays, we have heard Jesus
declare Himself as the bread of life, initially perplexing His listeners, who
understood it in the context of ordinary sustenance. However, in today’s Gospel,
Jesus takes this discourse deeper by proclaiming that the bread He offers is His
flesh for the world’s life, and His blood is a real drink. This revelation undoubtedly
shocked and puzzled those who heard it. The idea of consuming someone’s
flesh and blood runs contrary to Jewish dietary laws and societal norms. The
listeners responded with disbelief and objection, asking, “How can this man give
us his flesh to eat?”This question echoes the fundamental challenge of faith – how to believe in
the seemingly impossible. Jesus’ teachings often push the boundaries of human
understanding and demand a radical shift in perspective. In this instance, He
invites us to embrace a profound mystery that transcends the physical realm and
examines the spiritual reality of His presence among us.The Eucharistic discourse in John chapter 6 lays the foundation for the
Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, where the bread and wine become the Body
and Blood of Christ. This transformation, known as transubstantiation, is a core
principle of the Catholic faith that invites us to partake in the real presence of
Jesus Christ. It is a mystery that surpasses human comprehension and calls for
increased faith in divine revelation.As we wrestle with the question of “How can this be possible?” we are
reminded of God’s boundless power and what may seem impossible to us is
entirely feasible in the divine plan. The Eucharist is a testament to God’s
unfathomable love and desire to nourish our souls with His very essence.In contemplating the mystery of the Eucharist, we are called to deepen our
faith and trust in Jesus’s words. The Eucharist is a sacred moment of
communion, filled with awe and reverence. It is a time when we are intimately
united with Christ. This understanding should instill in us a deep reverence for
the Eucharist, making us feel the sacredness of communion and the profound
respect it deserves.Dear brothers and sisters, as we reflect on today’s teachings of Jesus, may
we open our hearts to the mystery of the Eucharist and allow it to transform us
from within. Let us embrace this opportunity to deepen our faith, seek
understanding, and draw closer to the divine presence that sustains us on our
journey of discipleship.Fr. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor