Sacrifice and Communion: The Journey to Eternal Life

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time: August 18, 2024

Readings: Proverbs 9:1–6; Psalm 34:2–3, 10–15; Ephesians 5:15–20; John 6:51–58

To listen to the audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/qjvpgMjmAtU

We are no longer in the post-modern world but in the post-truth world. People don't take you seriously even though you may be an authority over a particular subject. It's not about seeing is believing instead it's living without believing. As I write these reflections, I'm in XLRI Delhi campus for a workshop on "Artificial Intelligence for Excellence in Education." Until recently, we googled to get new information but today we give prompts to Open ChatGPT or Gemini to know more. However, in the midst of sudden and quick changes in the way we live, conceive and articulate things, still the eternal truths that are found in the Holy Scripture and spoken by our Lord Jesus are still relevant and actual today.

1. The Bread of Life – A Call to Deep Communion

John 6:51–58 is a profound passage where Jesus speaks about being the "living bread" that came down from heaven. He emphasizes that whoever eats this bread will live forever and that the bread he gives is his flesh, offered for the life of the world. The mystery of the Eucharist and the intimate relationship Christ offers to his followers is mindboggling.  This statement invites us to reflect on the intimate and life-giving relationship that Christ offers. 

The bread symbolizes more than just physical sustenance; it represents spiritual nourishment that sustains our souls. To partake in this bread is to enter into a deep communion with Christ, where our lives are changed for the better and holier and given eternal significance. This sacrament of Eucharist is not just a ritual but a real participation in the life of Christ. It challenges us to live in a way that reflects this divine communion, letting Christ's life flow through our actions and decisions.

2. Sacrifice and communion go together

In our Christian living sacrifice has a special significance. Jesus showed in his life the sacrificial nature of his mission. This passage invites us to meditate on the depth of Christ’s love, a love so profound that he offers himself wholly for our salvation. The Eucharist is a continual reminder of this sacrifice, a sacrifice that invites us to respond in kind. We are called to live lives of self-giving, mirroring the love of Christ in our interactions with others. This sacrificial love is not just a past event but a present reality, inviting us to join in Christ’s mission of bringing life and healing to a broken world.

Often there is a tendency to think that eternal life is a pie in the sky. Actually, it is not. This promise of eternal life is not just a future hope, but a present reality. The world is a monastery. In this world monastery, we begin our journey to eternal life. That is why our life here on earth matters. Therefore, we must have that awareness of eternity, recognizing that our daily choices and actions are imbued with eternal significance. It calls us to an awareness of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of using it wisely. Life offers countless opportunities to do good, to serve others, and to grow in our relationship with God, but these opportunities can easily be missed if we are not attentive. 

3. The Mystery of Faith – Trusting in the Unseen

Christianity is a religion in which the faith dimension without seeing believing takes paramount importance. In other words, it invites us to a deeper faith, one that trusts in the mysteries of God even when they surpass our understanding. The Eucharist is a profound mystery, a sacrament that invites us to trust in Christ’s presence in ways that go beyond our senses. It challenges us to consider how we spend our time, how we interact with others, and how we make choices that align with God’s will.

The Eucharist is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, a reminder that our true home is with God. As we reflect on this, we are called to live in a way that reflects this eternal perspective, prioritizing what truly matters and living in the light of Christ’s promise of resurrection and life everlasting. Hence, St Paul writing to Ephesians 5:15–20 encourages believers to live wisely, make the most of their time, and be filled with the Spirit. He calls for an intentional, Spirit-led living, where one’s actions, words, and attitudes symbolizing the wisdom and will of God.

Questions for self-reflection

1. How do I perceive the Eucharist? Is it merely a ritual for me, or do I truly experience it as an intimate communion with Christ that nourishes my soul?
2. Am I living wisely? How do I seek God’s guidance in my decisions, and in what areas of my life do I need to be more discerning and intentional?
3. How do I spend my time? Am I making the most of every opportunity to do good, grow spiritually, and serve others, or am I allowing time to slip away on trivial matters?
4. Do I practice gratitude daily? How often do I pause to give thanks to God, even in difficult circumstances? 

Prayer based on Psalm 34

O Lord, my soul will boast in You; You are the source of all good, and those who seek You lack nothing. Teach me to fear You, Lord, that I may turn from evil and do good, seeking peace and pursuing it with all my heart. Guard my tongue from speaking evil and my lips from deceitful words. I trust in Your eyes, which are always on the righteous, and Your ears, which are attentive to their cries.

May my life be a song of praise to You, and may I dwell in Your goodness and mercy all the days of my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

16th August 2024