For us Filipinos, eating “dinuguan” is not a problem. But for the Jews, as proclaimed in today’s Gospel, it is. They were scandalized upon hearing that they were invited to eat Jesus’ flesh and blood. “How can we eat you, your life and, worse, even your death?”, that’s how they reacted to Jesus.
By inviting us to eat His flesh and to drink His blood, the Lord Jesus wants us to partake in His divine life. Jesus did not only invite us as if we were being called to a party! Jesus took the initiative by shedding His blood for us on the cross. That is why, every time we celebrate the Holy Mass, Jesus’ eternal sacrifice on Calvary is made present.
What Christian application can we draw from today’s Gospel? First, in Holy Communion, we don’t just receive a piece of wafer. We receive the Lord Jesus. In response to Jesus’ total self-giving love, we participate actively, consciously and fully in the Holy Mass. In such ways, we express our identity as being saved. Second, the Holy Mass never ends when the priest says, “Go in peace.” This invitation calls us to live the values and virtues to whom we are sent: families, friends, neighbors, colleagues, strangers and even with our enemies.
To become like Jesus is never easy. It takes a lot of humility. But our little efforts to be Eucharistic are never underestimated by our loving God. When we are aware of who we are, when we accept what God wills us to be and when we act out of obedience to God’s will, we become like Jesus, who is not only wise but the Wisdom of God.
18 August 2024, 20th Sunday in the Ordinary Time, Jn 6:51-58
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