(This weekend, deacons are preaching at the two parishes where I assist. Therefore, I am sending a weekday homily which I gave this past Friday.)
Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter
April 23, 2021 11:00am
Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center
Readings: Acts 9:1-20
John 6:52-59
This week we have been hearing from the sixth chapter of Saint John’s Gospel.
This entire chapter is about the bread of life, the Eucharist.
I think we hear this during the Easter season, because the Eucharist is so intimately connected is with the resurrected life of Jesus.
He gives us that life in this sacrament.
If we dig into today’s passage, we can see a beautiful progression of thought that is very enriching for us.
I see a four-step progression.
First, Jesus declares that he has received his life from the Father.
He says: “Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father…”
Second, Jesus says that it is this life that he now gives to those who feed on his flesh and drink his blood.
He says: “Just as… I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.”
Third, Jesus explains that it is through this common sharing of life that he remains in us and we remain in him.
There is an abiding presence.
He says: “Whoever eat my Flesh and drinks my Blood remain in me and I in them.”
And fourth, this life that Jesus gives us is both a present and a future reality.
He says: “Those who eat my Flesh and drink my Blood have eternal life.”
So, we have eternal life, God’s life right now – in the present moment.
But still, Jesus goes on to say, “I will raise them on the last day.”
So, there is a future, a perfection or fulfillment to the eternal or divine life that we already share.
There will be a resurrection for us as there was for Jesus.
So, I find it to be a packed passage, packed with teaching or revelation from Jesus.
I hope we find this enriching this morning.
