Sunday 22 June
The Body & Blood of Christ
Deuteronomy 8: 2-3,14-16, Ps. 147B,
1 Corinthians 10: 16-17, John 6: 51-58
Eating the living Person
Am I a Eucharistic person? Sometimes it is hard to love the mystery of Jesus being bodily present in Holy Communion. Loving the Mass that we wrap around the Eucharist is easier and that is good. God loves our humanness and graces it with his generosity opening our eyes to see and receive the second Person of the Trinity in the host and precious blood. Eating the flesh of Jesus Christ feeds every aspect of my love for God, neighbour and self. How could it not?
Entries(RSS)
I wonder if the easy access to daily or weekly Eucharist is 'dulling' our appreciation of this gift. An analogy may be our ready access to out-of-season foods. I remember never eating tomatoes or strawberries during winter and recall the delight and gratitude that overwhelmed me as I tasted them again during summer. We only ate Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday and Christmas cake during that season. Now we can readily access anything we want whenever we want. I feel this blinkers our vision; dulls our appreciation; and hinders the growth of gratitude. When I am limited in my choices, my eyes and mind and heart are opened to other possibilities; flavours; experiences.
Without the nourishment of daily Eucharist, am I more able to recognise God revealed in the responsibilities and duties of our emergency personnel? Am I more open to recognise the compassion of God revealed in ordinary people weeping as they line the streets of Rotorua for three minute's silence to remember the murder of three year old Nia Glassie? Do I link arms with the Creator God and become a better steward of creation?
I agree that Eucharist nourishes my soul and activates me to witness to the love of God. But can the opposite also be valid: that absence from Eucharist is also a powerful, empowering gift, if we choose to open it?