(Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11b-17)
It will come as little surprise to those who know me well, that many of the memories I have involve food. I have some great memories of my Grandparents, my parents and of growing up, and the prominent ones involve me being fed. I am sure I am not the only one this applies to. Jesus, being true God and true man understood our human nature. We are people who like to live in communities, most of us would struggle if we had no other human contact. Jesus also recognised the importance of eating and drinking together and many of the landmark events in our family lives are marked by getting together to share a meal and fellowship.
This is also true of our Church family, we gather round the table of the Lord to do the same thing. In our first reading the eternal priest Melchizedek brought out bread and wine and bestowed a blessing on Abram; who became Abraham; our Father in faith. Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything, teaching us that we have to provide for our Church.
St Paul shares with the people of Corinth the news that after Jesus had been betrayed, He took bread and wine, blessed it gave thanks to God and encouraged us to eat and drink this bread as His Body and the wine as His Blood. Jesus taught his disciples to do this “as often as you drink, in remembrance of me.” To quote a dear priest who has now gone to the Lord [Fr Frank O’Sullivan] “The Eucharist is not just a memorial. Jesus becomes present, as the head of the Church family, at our family meal, the Eucharist.”[1]Jesus, Son of God, became man so that when we receive His Body in the form of bread, so that we as humans can become like God. The prayer offered quietly when the drop of water is being added to the wine at the Offertory in Mass states “By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity.” By sharing in the Eucharist we become like God; we are receiving a share in His divinity.
When Jesus encouraged the disciples to feed the people themselves, Jesus was not only preparing them for a miracle, but He was also preparing them for a life of service. Men look to what they know and understand, the disciples knew they only had a small amount of food; unlikely to be sufficient to feed the disciples and Jesus, never mind the multitude before them. Until that time, they did not know the full extent of Jesus’ powers. Jesus could make what is small into large amounts. Those called to serve, are called to make themselves small in the eyes of men and will be viewed as giants in the eyes of God.
Jesus is our Servant King. He gave and continues to give His all, so that we who follow Him, will continue to be satisfied. Only Jesus can satisfy us. All other sources of satisfaction are time limited and full of empty promises. Jesus gives eternal satisfaction; in return we are asked to give ourselves to Jesus and to serve Him by loving God and our neighbour.
Last Thursday I went into Bishop Challoner School with my wife to support their Vocations Day. The young people were given a short presentation by people from various vocations; there was a priest, two religious sisters, a religious brother, a seminarian and my wife and I all talking about our vocations. As we talked to the classes they were encouraged to ask us questions and also to think about what purpose God has for their lives and what they are called to do as a result.
This calling is not restricted to young people. God calls everyone of us to a distinct purpose. As St John Henry-Newman said “God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work.” [2]
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ this Sunday, perhaps we can ask God to help us to see the work He has committed to us when we receive the Eucharist this Sunday. Through this Sacred Mystery we are the Body of Christ, through this mystery may we take Christ out to others; who will never get to know Christ unless we help them through our words and deeds.
Further Reading
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
CCC 790, 1003, 1322-1419: the Holy Eucharist
CCC 805, 950, 2181-2182, 2637, 2845: the Eucharist and the communion of believers
CCC 1212, 1275, 1436, 2837: the Eucharist as spiritual food
St John Henry Newman – John Henry Newman
Please keep in your prayers this week
- Those who are sick, housebound or in hospital, that the care they receive matches all of their needs.
- Those waiting for the results of medical tests, examinations or scans, that the results can pinpoint the treatment they may need; or alleviate their fears.
- Our Pastoral Area as we continue to take the first steps towards moving from Maintenance to Mission.
- Peace in the world, and a de-escalation of the situations where war has already commenced or appears to be inevitable.
- All the couples; including my wife and I; who are celebrating Significant Wedding Anniversaries at a Mass at St Bede’s this Saturday.
- Eloise, Daniella, Leonardo and Arthur who will be baptised this weekend in St Bede’s and Leon who will be baptised at St Michael’s this weekend.
Deacon Tony
20th June 2025.
[1] Fr Frank O’Sullivan, I am with you Vol 3, [Two in One Flesh, Caterham, 2012]143.