The Catholic Church offers a three year cycle of Scripture readings for Sundays. In year A, during Ordinary Time, we read the Gospel of Matthew; in year B, Mark in year C, Luke. We read the Gospel of John during the Christmas and Easter seasons in all three years. We are this year in B and we read the Gospel according to Mark.
However, during the summer, the Church interrupts Mark for several weeks so that we can read John Chapter 6, Jesus’ teaching on the Holy Eucharist. We began last week with the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes for the feeding of the 5000 people. Over the next few Sundays, we will hear Jesus’ very explicit announcement of His real presence in the Eucharist. “My flesh is real food and my blood real drink!”
We Catholics have preserved Jesus’ teaching and we understand the words of Jesus literally. When we receive Holy Communion, we really take into ourselves the true body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ.
My experience is that Catholics do believe this, but that we do not appreciate the amazing reality of our intimate communion with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Receiving communion can unfortunately become routine and we can receive and go home without truly appreciating the immense love of Jesus who chooses to unite Himself to us intimately.
When you receive Jesus in Holy Communion, take time to ponder what you have received, rather whom you have received!
