Reflection for August 25, 2024

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

Proverbs 9:1-6 | Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 | Ephesians 5:15-20 | John 6:51-58

The readings for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time remind us to be wise to truly live, to show real life through the Spirit, and to accept everything Christ teaches, even the tough stuff.

In the effort to get what we want, we frequently lose what we have. A dog was carrying a bone as he crossed a bridge. He looked into the water and saw his own reflection. He took this to be another dog and another bone. He desperately wanted the other bone so he dropped the one he had to scare the "other dog." Of course there was no other bone and he lost the one he had into the water. 

He who finds wisdom finds life. Proverbs 9:1-6 invites us to embrace wisdom by describing her as a woman who has built a house, prepared a delicious meal, and invites everyone to join in. Accepting this invitation is said to lead to a fulfilling and meaningful life. Throughout Proverbs, wisdom is closely linked to life, with sayings like "Whoever finds me finds life" and "She is a tree of life to those who embrace her" (3:16a, 18a). By accepting wisdom's invitation, we are choosing to live the life God intends for us. This idea connects to the Christian concept of Divine Wisdom (Hagia Sophia), which is seen as part of Christ the Logos. So, accepting wisdom’s feast can be viewed as part of Jesus’ invitation to follow him and experience the richness of the kingdom of God.

Nestor was going to a costume party dressed as the Devil - red suit, pointy tail and pitchfork. As he walked it began to rain and he looked for shelter. The only place was a little country church, so in he went. It just so happened they were holding a Spirit Empowerment Seminar that night. When people turned and saw the Devil they dived for the exits. One poor fellow's coat got caught on a pew. As Nestor approached he turned and cried "Mr. Devil, I've been a member of this church for 25 years, but I've been on your side all along."

Living a "life in the Spirit" means following the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our daily actions. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, tells Christians to be "filled with the Holy Spirit" and to be mindful of how we live. This can seem challenging, but it basically means we have a choice about how we let the Holy Spirit influence us. When we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, we naturally become more aware of our actions and focus on loving God and others. Here's how living a "life in the Spirit" looks in different areas: At Work, it means doing your tasks on time, arriving punctually, offering respectful feedback, and being supportive of colleagues’ successes without feeling envious. At Home, it involves sharing your feelings openly, helping with household chores, being present for family during difficult times, and celebrating their successes. At School, it means being kind to everyone, actively participating in class, doing your own work honestly, and contributing to group projects. In Church, it includes prioritizing attendance at Mass, supporting fellow parishioners, and avoiding gossip about others. Being a good person means striving to live a life that embraces piety, forgiveness, hospitality, compassion, and selflessness. As disciples of Christ, we need to continually open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, allowing it to guide us toward a life filled with love and grace.

In a vibrant parish, Tom, Lisa, and Ben attended a "Faith Feast" where different dishes represented aspects of Catholic teachings. Tom eagerly sampled everything, and Lisa carefully chose dishes related to charity and community. Ben, however, only picked the dishes he enjoyed, avoiding those he found challenging. As they discussed their choices, Tom and Lisa felt enriched by the variety, while Ben, who skipped the tougher dishes, felt something was missing. Tom asked Ben why he didn’t try the harder dishes, and Lisa noted that sometimes the challenging parts help us grow the most. Realizing he had been selectively choosing his faith like a cafeteria, Ben decided to embrace all aspects of his spiritual life. By engaging with the parts he had previously avoided, he found a deeper sense of fulfillment and understood that true nourishment comes from fully embracing all that faith offers.

This Sunday, we continue reading from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, where Jesus explains that He has come down from heaven. Just as God gave the Israelites manna to sustain them in the desert, God now provides new manna that gives eternal life. Jesus Himself is this bread from God; His flesh is given for the life of the world. Some people struggled to understand Jesus' teaching that the bread He gives is His own flesh. When they argued about His words, Jesus emphasized that salvation comes to those who eat His Body and drink His Blood. He doesn't directly answer how salvation happens but focuses on the life He gives to the world. In Mark 16:16, Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." He teaches that salvation comes from the life we receive by partaking in His Body and Blood. Jesus commanded us to eat His Body and drink His Blood to have life in us. Believing in Jesus and being baptized alone won't save us unless we fully follow His command. In John 6:54, He says, "Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person on the last day." Being selective about which teachings to follow, like picking items from a cafeteria menu, means missing out on what Jesus commanded. Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior isn't enough if you don't partake in His Body and Blood; without this, there is no place in heaven. Believing in Jesus means staying close to Him and loving Him. Loving Jesus means keeping His commandments. As He said in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." We experience the fullness of heaven in the Savior's Body and Blood, so we should partake often. Jesus' words can be hard to hear and accept. Many people, both in the past and today, struggle with His teachings. They believe and get baptized but don't partake in His Body and Blood. However, these words are crucial because they show our deep connection with Jesus. In the bread and wine, Jesus' Body and Blood are truly present. When we share in them, Jesus comes to dwell within us. This communion with the Lord unites us as one body, gives us eternal life, and sends us out to be Christ's body for the world.
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