The Eucharist is not a reward for the perfect, but is food meant to sustain us on our journey. Brian Strassburger, SJ, reflects on the Eucharist on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Based on the readings for Sunday, June 11, 2023.
The Eucharist is not a reward for good behavior, like ice cream. It’s bread for the hungry.
Hi, I’m Fr. Brian Strassburger, and this is my One-Minute Homily.
Jesus tells his disciples that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood. And this is exactly what he gives us at the Last Supper when he takes bread and wine, blesses them, and shares them as his body and blood. We follow his instructions every time we go to Mass and share in the Eucharist.
You might notice that Jesus did not tell his disciples to eat his body, but only if they had earned it, like a parent rewarding a kid for a good report card. That just doesn’t seem to be his intention.
Rather, the Eucharist is like the manna that fed the Israelites in the desert: it’s food for the faithful on their journey.
So as we continue on our own journey of faith, let’s respond to the invitation of Jesus to gather and share at the Eucharistic table. Not because we’re perfect, but because we need it.
