Commentary
John 6: 51-58
The Gift of Self
The gift of life Jesus gives to the world is the same divine life in the Father and the Son. "Just as the living Father sent me, and I have life because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will have life because of me."
This gift of life comes to us through the Eucharist - the gift of Jesus on the cross. He gives us himself to be our food of life, "The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."
As we receive this gift of divine life, we are called and empowered to give ourselves, even to the point of the cross, for the life of the world.
How am I doing that?
June 7, 2014
Pentecost (June 8, 2014)
Commentary
John 20: 19-23
"Jesus Came and Stood in their Midst"
The disciples were afraid. They still locked themselves behind closed doors. This still happened though two of them, Peter and the other disciple, had seen the empty tomb (John 20: 7-8). Moreover, the Risen Christ had appeared to Mary of Magdala and spoken to her. She then told them, "I have seen the Lord" (20:18).
Yet the disciples were still afraid.
The witness of others at times might not be enough.
To his fearful disciples, the Risen Christ "came and stood in their midst." His presence alone can shatter their fear. More than that, the Risen and living Lord turns their fear into peace and joy. [1]
Only an encounter with the Risen and living Christ can have such an effect.
And he strengthens the weak and fearful disciples with his gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Risen and living Lord continues to be with us in his words, his EucharistA, in the community gathered together, and when we touch his wounded body in the wounded members of His Body.
There, he comes and stands in our midst.
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[1] Francis J. Moloney, The Gospel of John; Sacra Pagina Series, p. 531
John 20: 19-23
"Jesus Came and Stood in their Midst"
The disciples were afraid. They still locked themselves behind closed doors. This still happened though two of them, Peter and the other disciple, had seen the empty tomb (John 20: 7-8). Moreover, the Risen Christ had appeared to Mary of Magdala and spoken to her. She then told them, "I have seen the Lord" (20:18).
Yet the disciples were still afraid.
The witness of others at times might not be enough.
To his fearful disciples, the Risen Christ "came and stood in their midst." His presence alone can shatter their fear. More than that, the Risen and living Lord turns their fear into peace and joy. [1]
Only an encounter with the Risen and living Christ can have such an effect.
And he strengthens the weak and fearful disciples with his gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Risen and living Lord continues to be with us in his words, his EucharistA, in the community gathered together, and when we touch his wounded body in the wounded members of His Body.
There, he comes and stands in our midst.
--------------------------
[1] Francis J. Moloney, The Gospel of John; Sacra Pagina Series, p. 531
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