Gospel Reflection for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
Gospel: John: 6:51-58
Synopsis:
As much as Jesus’ listeners didn’t understand how Jesus could really mean that they were
to eat his body and drink his blood, Jesus made it very clear that that was precisely what
he did mean. Once again, it was hard for the people of Jesus’ day (and still hard for us
today, too) to understand what Jesus tried to say because they only thought in earthly,
literal terms. This Gospel passage gives us one of our firm foundations for the institution
of the Eucharist so that, in faith, we will eat the bread that will give us everlasting life.
Reflection
Many times we prepare our children for the “big” events in their lives forgetting how
much of life takes place in the ordinary moments. For example, first communion is often
a big production either at the hands of the parish or how families choose to dress their
children and celebrate after mass. The really important message of this Gospel reading,
however, is how joyful and thankful are we when we receive our one hundredth or one
thousandth communion. Our goal might be to help our children continue to be thankful
and joyful each time they receive communion. This can happen when they see how happy
we are to receive communion ourselves.
After an evening meal this week, talk together about how your family was fed at the
meal. Did you affirm one another? Did you listen to the stories told, the events of each
person’s day? Think about how each person individually and together as a family you
were nourished by the food and conversation. See if your family can come up with any
similarities to the nourishment of your meal and the nourishment offered us at Mass and
in community with others.
