6-22-25 Most Holy Body andd Blood of Christ
This weekend our liturgy focuses on the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The gospel this weekend, while not a eucharistic feast itself, has all the ear marks of Jesus concern for those who seek him and are his followers. In the gospel, Jesus asks the apostles to feed the crowd. They respond that they have only 5 loaves and 2 fish. So little for so many. But Jesus asks them to give what little they have. Imagine what their thoughts might have been when Jesus takes all they have (little as it is) and feeds everyone. They are asked to trust in Jesus, surrender what they have, believe that it will be more than enough, and receive what Jesus will give them in return. From those 5 loaves of bread and two fish, he, after praying (i.e., “looking up to heaven”) is able to provide food enough for all the apostles and over 5000 people. The 12 baskets left over after all have eaten shows that God through Jesus not only met the apostles’ and crowd’s immediate needs but in addition provided them with a feast beyond their wildest dream. The feeding of the 5000 in this gospel appears in all of the four gospels, so powerful was the memory of this event. And even in Matthew and Mark’s gospels there is also a reference to second feeding at another time. In their additional account of another type of this miracle there were 4000 people referenced as being present. Again, there were 7 full baskets left over after everyone’s hunger had been satisfied. The crowd that followed Jesus that day must have come from a wide variety of locations. Perhaps there was some fore knowledge that Jesus would be on that hill that particular day and that is why so many came. Either way, the people trusted him to not only heal their sick and disabled but to take of care of them in whatever way they needed. Our gospel invites us also to reflect on whether that is the same attitude with which we come to Mass weekly or daily. Or, if we are in situations (i.e., hospitals, prisons, away on deployment, nursing homes, etc.) where we cannot always attend Mass daily or even weekly, can we also trust that Jesus is still there for us and with us spiritually to feed us with his love and concern and presence. Jesus’ concern for the hunger of his followers is borne out in these practical ways (i.e., feeding of 5000) but even more his concern is borne out for all of us in the spiritual and actual ways through the gift of the Eucharist. The gift of his body and blood contained for us in the Eucharist is a miracle that has occurred down through the millennium every time a Mass is offered. In fact, in our own time, a teenager, Blessed Carlos Acutis (born 1991-died 2006) researched extensively and recorded the Eucharistic miracles that have occurred through-out the world. He used his computer skills and internet savvy to help his family put together an exhibition of the Eucharistic miracles that has gone on to be displayed at thousands of parishes on five continents.1 Although he lived a very short life (i.e.,15 yrs. of age) he had a great impact among teenagers and adults alike and in fact was dubbed by many as “God’s Influencer.”2 Based on the miracles that were attributed to him and his influence of adults and teenagers during his life time, he was made blessed in 2020 by Pope Francis and is scheduled to be canonized a saint by Pope Leo XIV in Sept. 2025. And yet even with so many admissions and evidence of Jesus’ real presence among us, many people still question how this small substance of bread and wine can be the real body and blood of Jesus Christ. Many times, people are looking for a rational explanation that can convince them that Eucharist is truly the body and blood of Christ. But faith is not based on proof or documentation. Was it to be such, would it still be faith, then? Often those questions or doubts that others present are not just about the Eucharist only, but also about the possibility of miracles among us. us. “Almost a century ago, an old man was travelling on a train in France. A much younger man, sitting across from him in the same compartment, watched as the old man reached into his travelling case, took out a Bible, and began to read. After a while, the younger man decided to strike up a conversation. The young man asked, “What are you reading?” The old man replied, “I am reading the sixth chapter of Mark in the New Testament.” The younger man asked, “What does it say?” “It is the story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes. The Gospel writer is telling about a vast crowd that had followed Jesus because of the signs he was performing for the sick. Jesus then preached to the crowd until it was dark, and they were hungry. With only five barley loaves and a couple of fried fish, Jesus fed the entire crowd of five thousand people. When the people had finished eating, the leftovers filled twelve baskets.” The younger man asked, a bit scornfully, “Do you really believe that?” The reply came back, “Yes, I do.” The younger man answered, “I can see that you have been brainwashed by ancient superstitions. That could never happen to me. You see, I am a scientist. Everything that happens in this world can ultimately be accounted for. What you are saying is sheer fantasy, give me facts — provable facts. As a man of science, I have no faith in miracles, but I cannot expect you to understand that.” At this point, the train began to slow down. The young man said, “Here is where I get off, Mister — I’m sorry, I did not get your name.” The old man handed him his calling card bearing the name of Louis Pasteur, one of the greatest scientists our world has ever known." known."3 Recently, I received a publication, by Blue Sparrow books, called 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory. Each day the author speaks about different aspects of the Eucharist and how it has impacted the lives of different saints, such as Mother Thersea, Pope John Paul II, St. Therse of Lisieux, etc., and how it can impact our lives if we are open to letting it do just that. It ends each of the 33 chapters with a spiritual communion prayer which is especially prepared for individuals who are unable to attend mass in person. Each chapter ends with four words. Those four words I leave for you to ponder now as we reflect on the miracle in this weekend’s gospel and the miracle of the Eucharist: “Trust, Surrender, Believe, Receive.”4
1. 1.https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/46048/who-was-carlo-acutis-a-cna-explainer
2. 2.Carlo Acutis, Italian teenager nicknamed ‘God’s influencer,’ set to become Catholic Church’s first millennial saint | CNN . 3.Voicings.com, Charles Krieg, St. Joseph’s Seminary, Princeton, NJ.
4. 4.33
Days to Eucharistic Glory,
International Society of the Eucharist,
Blue Sparrow Books, 2023
