20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Do you believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist? Tragically, a sizeable number of Catholics do not, especially among the younger generation. Today’s Gospel Reading (John 6:51-58) offers us an opportunity to reaffirm our own faith in the Real Presence. In this reading, we hear Jesus promise that whoever eats this bread will live forever. In a culture that is obsessed with putting off death and extending the appearance of youth, one would think that such a promise would indeed be good news, even though Jesus is referring to eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The selection from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 5:15-20) that we heard in our Second Reading today focuses on the theme of wisdom and challenges us to choose wisely. The wisdom of the world is no sort of wisdom at all. The Wisdom of the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is our very reason for giving thanks. It is a way of living that gives our lives ultimate meaning.

Giving thanks is what the word “Eucharist” means in Greek. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is the Word made flesh. We are grateful that Jesus became one of us through the Incarnation and shared our human life. His words and deeds are real food for living a meaningful life, but even more, the very act of eating and drinking becomes our connection with Jesus Himself. And for this we are most grateful, because Jesus guarantees his abiding presence when he promises: Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. The Catholic Church has always understood these words to be the gift of the Real Presence. Jesus is truly present – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – in the Holy Eucharist.

The Eucharist is a miracle and a gift of God’s grace. However, the miracle is not only what happens to the bread and wine, but also what happens to us when we participate worthily in the reception of the Eucharist. The miracle of the Real Presence changes ordinary people into active disciples of Jesus Christ. As God gives us life in Jesus Christ, so are we to give life by making our faith active in the world.