August 16, 2009: 20th Sunday in OT. B.

The readings are about Wisdom and about Eucharist. You don’t know Greek, I know, but the verbs for “to eat” and “to drink” change at this point in Christ’s sermon. He now says, “he who “munches” or “chews on” my Body, and “slurps” or “totally absorbs” my Blood will remain in me...and have eternal life.” These two verbs shock the crowds. People leave. But Christ doesn’t back down. This IS His Body and His Blood that we consume. BUT, there is also another underlying theme: we have to “chew on” it, “absorb” it. Those are “wisdom” words. Even today we speak of “chewing on” an idea, or “absorbing” a thought. In other words, there is something that isn’t “instantaneous” about Eucharist. It takes a life time of “chewing on” the Christ, and “absorbing” His way of life to become a Eucharistic people. But, we don’t get there by just twiddling our thumbs! So, let’s start “chewing,” OK?