August 12, 2009 // Uncategorized

Jesus is the living bread

Todays Catholic

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jn 6:51-58

Proverbs is part of the Wisdom literature. This literature, forming an important part of the Old Testament, came to be in an interesting development of history.

As the years passed, and as circumstances occurred, good and bad, many Jews left the land of their heritage and moved to other areas in the Middle East or North Africa. In another development, the armies of Alexander the Great moved across much of this same territory.

The Greek armies of Alexander, of course, militarily subdued all that was in their path, but after the various invasions, the Greeks left a deep imprint upon the cultures of the conquered lands.

Precisely in this overwhelming Greek situation did the Jews, who had come from, or who descended from forebears who had come from, the Holy Land, find the need to reinforce their own faith in their ancient religious tradition, as well as the need to convey this tradition on to new generations.

The Greeks cherished the science and process of logic. They were great philosophers.

So, the Jews in places where Greek culture was so dominant had to blend revelation, as it had been given from Moses and the prophets, with logic. In other words, the Jews had to convince others, most importantly their own communities and their own children, that the teachings of the prophets, and of Moses, made sense.

Proverbs was one such effort in this process. In this reading is an interesting technique used by the author of Proverbs. It is the personification of wisdom. Thus, wisdom, as if a person, speaks in the first person.

In this passage, wisdom invites anyone who is “simple” to come. Awaiting is a marvelous meal of the finest food and wine.

Extending such an invitation to the “simple” would have seemed novel at the time. The “simple,” or the poor and powerless, were not regarded with great admiration or attention. Of course, very likely, many of the Jews to whom these writings were directed were among the “simple.”

The Epistle to the Ephesians provides the second reading.

Here, as in all the epistles, the purpose is both to strengthen and to encourage the early Christians.

The epistle admonishes these Christians of Ephesus to watch their conduct. They should live as true disciples of Jesus. Lip service is not enough in true discipleship.

St. John’s Gospel is one of the most memorable passages in this thoroughly memorable Gospel. It is familiar to all believers.

Jesus declares, “I myself am the living bread.” The Lord then continues, in great eloquence and depth, to explain this revelation. If anyone eats this divine bread, then this person will live forever.

It is real food and real drink. It is not imaginary or symbolic or casual. It is the Lord, as the Lord stated. Those who consume this food will be raised on the last day.

Reflection

For weeks this summer, the church has called us to discipleship. Having put before us the image of Jesus, the crucified, the risen Lord, at Holy Week and Easter, with all the accompanying lessons of the Ascension and Pentecost, the church has invited us to follow Jesus.

It has reminded us of our limitations. We cannot find peace and true happiness alone. We cannot secure eternal life alone. We need God.

In this Liturgy of the Word, the church reassures us. Although we are limited, even though we cannot achieve salvation of ourselves alone, God is lavishly and mercifully forthcoming.

God gives us all this in Jesus, the very bread of life. In the Eucharist, we, even the “simple,” unite with Jesus, the son of God. He is our life and our joy.