Homily for August 9, 2009

Homily for August 9, 2009 19th Sunday Ordinary Time

The sheriff was getting used to it by now. Everyone was complaining. The townsfolk were constantly murmuring. And the complaints were against the deputy.

Yes, the good folks of Mayberry always had enough of the antics of Deputy Barney Fife. But good old Sheriff Andy Taylor always saw the good in Barney and had a way to quiet the complaints of his citizens. Andy often succeeded in bringing the townsfolk to see the good in Barney too.

Of course these are fictional characters in a fictional town from the classic Andy Griffith Show.

We today live in a different world and a not so different place. You see I’ve been to the real life town that was the model for Mayberry. Mt. Airy, North Carolina is real similar to Abita Springs, LA. Our complaints might be different; we may murmur about different people or things; yet still we complain. Who among us has not complained about everything from the weather, traffic, politics, our job, even our own family and friends? Unfortunately, complaining and murmuring are very natural.

As people of faith, do we complain or murmur about Jesus, about our Church, about our faith? Or do we approach Jesus with joy?

Well, today we hear about the Jews complaining; and we heard this last week too. Last week the complaints were about food and this week it’s about who Jesus says he is. Are not these complaints based on a lack of understanding about who Jesus is and what he is teaching? Jesus’ teachings in today’s Gospel are clear: He is the way to eternal life. Despite the complaining and murmuring and grumbling by the crowds, Jesus persists: I am the bread of life, the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread I give is my flesh. Nothing ambiguous here, nothing symbolic!

This bread of life, Jesus’ very body, is the right diet for eternal life; just as bread has always been the staff of life, just like it sustained Elijah in our 1st reading today. This bread of life, Jesus Himself, demands a commitment on our part. We are invited to partake, we are invited to eat, we are invited to “taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”

So how do we prepare to receive Him? Do we prepare worthily or do we complain and murmur about the requirements of discipleship. This ultimate sacrifice of Jesus giving us His own flesh to eat and blood to drink invites a generous response from we who receive.

We are all called to receive Jesus in Holy Communion worthily. That means to be free from mortal sin; yes the Catholic Church still teaches mortal sin. Frequent and sincere confession is still an integral component in worthily eating and drinking His body & blood. Posture and demeanor are also important factors in the worthy reception of our Lord. We should reflect on our manner of reception, whether we receive our Lord on our tongues or in our hands. For those who receive on the tongue, do so in a manner of complete openness and acceptance of the Lord. Be clear as you approach the ministers that this is your preferred method of receiving Jesus. And if you take Jesus in your and, be especially careful and reverent. Never snatch or grab Jesus away from a minister but present your hand, one over the other, making a throne for the King of Kings. And immediately consume our Lord before walking away. If you receive from the cup, and we encourage you to do so, be charitable in your consumption so all who wish to receive may do so. And please remember, when we hear the words, “the body of Christ” and “the blood of Christ” answer with Amen. Your Amen says I agree; I believe; it’s your yes to Christ.

In our parish, we ask that you process in line and make a show of reverence by bowing before Jesus in both species. And since we are talking about these things, remember our appearance as we approach Him. Make an effort, in a charitable response to what Jesus has done for us, to dress and appear as one preparing to personally meet their Lord and Savior. And finally, after you have received the Lord, return to the pew, offer your thanksgiving and remain in church until the closing procession.

Last week, Msgr. LeBourgeois invited us all to spend some time reading and re-reading the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John. This year we spend 5 weeks reading this Gospel because of its Eucharistic character. Let me re-invite us all to take that time to pray with and read the 6th chapter of the Gospel of John.

And in the week ahead, make time to celebrate, in Christian and community charity, our special feast day in honor of our patron, St. Jane de Chantal. Wednesday is her special day, and we have planned a special evening with Mass and a pot luck dinner. We hope to see you there.

So as we prepare to approach the altar in just a few moments we do so with joy and thanksgiving, not complaining and murmuring.

We still will have those things in life that we inevitably will complain about, we still will encounter our own Barney Fife’s and Mayberry, and well Mayberry ain’t Mayberry anymore. Let’s take our cue from Jesus; our Eucharist and be Eucharist to one another.

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord!