20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Prv 9:1-6
Ps 34:2-3, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Eph 5:15-20
Jn 6:51-58

The hectic pace of modern life often makes mealtimes a hurried event—lunch at one's desk or fast food eaten on the run, meals worked around the soccer games, with one or more family members absent. Only at big family celebrations like Thanksgiving, anniversaries, or perhaps a summertime picnic, does our meal-sharing bring us together to nourish our spirits and strengthen our relationships.

Today we continue our five-week look at the sixth chapter of John, where Jesus is portrayed as the "Bread of Life." In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus' words, "whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood," parallels "This is my body..., this is my blood," found in the other three Gospels to mark the Last Supper institution of the Eucharist.

Recalling what happens when we share a special meal together in various settings outside of Mass can help us understand the Eucharist. In any of our special meals, we begin with a time of gathering. We catch up on news and tell stories. We share the meal and then take our leave, promising to keep in touch. At Mass, we do the same: gather, tell stories of faith, share a sacred meal, and are commissioned to go forth.

As we continue doing what Christians have done for 2,000 years in memory of Jesus, let us resolve to grow in our appreciation of this great mystery of faith.

I’m Father Greg Friedman with the "Sunday Soundbite" for St. Anthony Messenger Press, on the Web at FranciscanRadio.org.

Scripture:

•Wisdom has built her house. (Proverbs (9:1)

•I sought the Lord, and he answered me. (Psalm 34:11)

•…be filled with the Spirit… (Ephesians 5:17)

•…whoever eats this bread will live forever. (John 6:58)

Reflection:

•How do you live the Eucharist in parish life?

•How does the Eucharist become part of your very essence so that you become one with Jesus?

Had I understood always as I do now, that so great a King resided in my soul I should not have left him alone so often, but should have stayed with Him sometimes and not have kept his dwelling place in such shambles. (St Teresa of Avila)

Pray wholeheartedly, though you may feel nothing, though you may see nothing, yes, though you think that you could not, for in dryness and barrenness, in sickness and weakness, then is your prayer most pleasing to me, though you think it is almost tasteless to you. And so is all your living prayer in my sight. (Julian of Norwich)