Homily for 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time; the Bread of Life; truly!

Homily 20th Sunday Ordinary Time

You can't handle the truth! We may remember this powerfully delivered line by Jack Nicholson from the movie A Few Good Men. Many years earlier there was a game show entitled Truth or Consequences. You either told the truth or you were forced to "pay the consequences" which were usually designed for maximum laughter.

We all know the importance of telling the truth. Studies tell us, however, that most of us struggle, from time to time with the truth. Over time and with wisdom we usually come to the conclusion that the truth is the way to go or there will indeed be consequences.

As people of faith, we embrace the truth that Jesus is the Bread of Life and His flesh is true food and His blood true drink.

For the past few weeks we have been hearing and praying with this wonderful 6th chapter from the Gospel of John. This chapter is commonly referred to as the Bread of Life Discourse and it is the unfolding of the source and summit of our faith, the Holy Eucharist.

What is our Holy Eucharist? It is truly the Body & Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken, blessed and given to us for our eternal salvation. Jesus, speaking unambiguously, says "unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you? What kind of life is Jesus talking about here? He answers that too, matter of factly, eternal life!

Those hearing this from Jesus were indignant, they quarreled among themselves. In last week's Gospel, when He again was teaching about being the living bread, his hearers were murmuring. And next week we will hear that many, hearing that we must eat the flesh of Jesus and drink his blood, left Him and abandoned His teachings.

This teaching of Jesus is the truth! Can we handle the truth? If Jesus meant this teaching to be symbolic, why did he double down when he was challenged and others walked away. Surely, if symbolic, Jesus would have said, come on, wait a minute fellas, this is just a symbol, I'm just speaking metaphorically, this is just another parable. No! Jesus remains firm. He speaks truth! As Catholics, we better be about embracing this truth!

How do we demonstrate our belief that this teaching on the Eucharist is truth? First and foremost, when we approach for Holy Communion, are we properly prepared to receive Him? The Church teaches that if we are aware of unconfessed mortal sin, we must go to Confession before receiving Jesus in Holy Communion? The best way, of course, to do this is to go to Confession frequently; once or twice a month is highly recommended. Do we fully believe that we are about to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus our Savior? Do we approach in awe and wonder that we are encountering the Real Presence of Jesus, that He is not only with us, but that He is about to be within us? Do we accept Jesus in a manner that demonstrates that we embrace that truth? When receiving Jesus, either on the tongue or in your hand, is our reception reverent and gives our Lord honor? Do we respond with our sincere heartfelt Amen? That Amen is our affirmation that yes, we believe, yes, we embrace this truth? When receiving from the cup, we too must be reverant in our reception. And when we return to our pews, with Jesus Christ within us, do we offer a prayer of thanksgiving for having just received the real flesh and blood of our Lord and Savior? Finally, and very importantly, do we become what we believe, do we become what we have consumed? Having really received Jesus within us, do we become Jesus, do we become Eucharist to those we encounter. Do others see in us our joy at having received the Body & Blood of Jesus Christ? And as Catholics, having been strengthened by His real food, can we defend, in charity and love, this true teaching of Jesus Christ to those who deny this truth?

Everyday, in some way, we are called to embrace the truth. Everyday, we will be challenged to handle the truth? Everyday, we will learn that without the truth, there will be consequences. In our lives, we will never be presented with anything more powerfully true than this teaching that Jesus is the Bread come down from Heaven; His real flesh; His real blood! That's the truth we all can handle; the truth that makes us free!