Sunday Readings Reflections
from our Carmelite Friars
SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
Reading 1: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14B-16A
True to his covenant of being the God for us, He feeds the hunger in our lives, not with the familiar and comfortable food we know but with a food unknown to us. Such satisfies the deepest longings in our lives. The Word of God, his Self-communication to us, that assures us of his Love is the food that the world needs now!
“Not by bread alone does one live,but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the LORD.”
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
To bless the cup, to break the bread together is to participate in the Body of Christ. It is not because we are worthy to participate but because we are made worthy to participate by Jesus, Himself. And in such participation, we delight in the very life and love of God. This is the sacramental experience in every Eucharistic Celebration.
“Lord I am not worthy to receive you but only say the Word and I shall be healed.”
Gospel: John 6:51-58
What kind of life do we have in drinking Jesus’ blood or eating Jesus’ flesh? Eternal life. In the self-sacrifice of Jesus, those who believe in Him are made children of God and as a children of God we share in His very life. Such is Eternal life. This means that our life is no longer shaped, determined, and dictated by our sufferings and woundedness. We are raised into the life God. Through our wounds the love of God shine. Our wounds are not just painful wounds. It is transformed into wounds of love for the life of God is shared with us.