Jun 23 2019 Reflection

Sunday 23 June 2019

First Reading: GN 14:18-20
Responsorial Psalm:
You are a priest forever, in the line of Melchizedek.
PS 110:1, 2, 3, 4
Second Reading: 1 COR 11:23-26
Gospel Reading: LK 9:11B-17

Today’s Note: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Gospel Reading:

Jesus spoke to the crowds about the kingdom of God,
and he healed those who needed to be cured.
As the day was drawing to a close,
the Twelve approached him and said,
“Dismiss the crowd
so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms
and find lodging and provisions;
for we are in a deserted place here.”
He said to them, “Give them some food yourselves.”
They replied, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have,
unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people.”
Now the men there numbered about five thousand.
Then he said to his disciples,
“Have them sit down in groups of about fifty.”
They did so and made them all sit down.
Then taking the five loaves and the two fish,
and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing over them, broke them,
and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
They all ate and were satisfied.
And when the leftover fragments were picked up,
they filled twelve wicker baskets.

Reflection:

As the day was drawing to a close . . . (Luke 9:12)

Why did Jesus keep the people so late? Was he unaware of the passing of time? Or was he so caught up with healing them that he forgot that they would need to eat? Neither scenario is very likely. Jesus was always aware of his surroundings, and he never did something without first thinking it through.

No, Jesus knew what he was doing and why he was doing it. He knew he would need to feed this crowd of people miraculously—and he was happy to do it. It was his way of giving them another sign of his love for them. He didn’t want to just heal them and send them on their way. He wanted to share a meal with them. He wanted to spend more time with them—the kind of quality time that happens during a shared meal.

This is part of the wonder of the Body and Blood of Christ. Jesus wants to spend time with us. He wants to spend time with you. He loves you for who you are, not just for what he can do for you. He just enjoys your company, and he wants to share his love with you.

No wonder Jesus promised to be with us in a special way at Mass! Every time we receive him in Communion, he comes into our lives—all of him. He comes to tell us that he loves us and that he values us. Certainly he comes as Savior to heal and to bless us, but he also comes as Friend just to be with us. In fact, it’s because he loves us so much that he is committed to giving us his blessings.

Jesus is waiting for you at Mass today. He’s waiting for you every day in the Tabernacle of his presence. Go spend time with him. Let his friendship and love warm your heart. And go warm his heart with your love.

“O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine! All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.”