Walking with Jesus: The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ B

For Sunday, June 2, 2024

Exodus 24:3-8; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26

We all have gone through the coming and going of family, relatives, work companions and dear friends. Growing up, especially in our preteen relationship years, those “dear friends” were “family” to us because of their closeness and the love they shared. Living without them would be a “catastrophe.” I’ll just die without them … they are the only ones who really know me and care about me. Well, we’ve survived. The old saying, “absent in mind makes the heart grow fonder” … sometimes.

Yet for friendship to continue and endure, friends need each others’ physical and emotional presence as well as signs of affection. Small children need hugs and kisses to know they are loved. Married couples need regular signs of affection. We would think that simple signs of affection would fade in time. Yet if a wife is never kissed anymore, she wonders: Does he still love me? So ... all human love demands some presence and signs of care and affection.

The theme of covenant dominates all three readings this week. Covenant agreements were ever present in the Ancient world. Today the Book of Exodus describes the solemn ratification of Mount Sinai's Ten Commandments between God and Israel. This covenant was sealed with the blood of animals. Blood is a symbol of life which belongs exclusively to God. God created the whole world and all life. The sprinkling of the people with blood symbolizes the fact that God is sharing His life with them.

• Continuing the deeper meaning of this theme, Jesus established a NEW COVENANT. Like the Old Covenant, it too was sealed with blood … this time it is not the blood of animals but Jesus’ own blood. This NEW rite which is the Eucharist was instituted as a perpetual reminder of the intimate bond that exists between God and HIS people.
• “[S]ay to the Israelites: I am the Lord. I will free you from the forced labor of the Egyptians and will deliver you from their slavery. I will rescue you by my outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as My own people; and you shall have Me as your God.” (Exodus 8:6-7)
• “But this rather is what I commanded them: ‘Listen to My voice; then I will be your God and You shall be My people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper.’” (John 7:23)
• In the second reading, Paul reminds us that by the sacrificial death of Jesus, God, the supreme high priest, has entered into a new and eternal covenant with His people. BY the sacrificial death of Jesus, the supreme high priest, God has entered into a new and eternal covenant with His people.

So what does this mean for you and me? The Eucharist celebrates a wonderful event: the gift that Jesus made of His life on our behalf. We retell that story every time we celebrate the Eucharist. But like anything that is repeated over and over, there is a danger that it may become commonplace — a ritual without remembrance. We receive the Eucharist and are expected to give something in return.   

A reflection:

I have received the Eucharist, Jesus. I am living a self-centered life, often. Being in communion with Jesus. The Eucharist is the heart of everything. But it can never be separated from the Eucharist. The two realities are linked. Being in communion with Jesus so that we can be in communion with others.

Jesus gives Himself to us here, so that we in our turn may give ourselves to others.

All human love demands some presence some signs of affection. So also does our friendship with Jesus.

This is the feast that celebrates the incomparable love Christ has for us.

How can I make a return to the Lord for all the good I have received? The only response: thanksgiving.

We have been chosen. Am I grateful? Can I let this gratitude be seen?  

So I reflect on:

• If today I would make a promise to Jesus, a promise that reveals my intention to come closer to Him, what might that promise be?
• What do I need from the Lord so that I don’t fall short?

Sacred Space 2024 states:

“Jesus was initiating a new Passover and covenant. He pledged fidelity to His followers and promised to nourish them in living as His disciples. Lord, may we who share Your table have the openness to be sent forth to be the bread of life to others.

“Jesus, You are the blessed one who was taken, broken and given. You invite us to share Your table that we may be broken of our selfishness to be a gift to others in  Your name. May we be good companions on the journey.”