Bread for Life of the World

Throughout our Church's history, we had taken the Eucharist away from the people, and put it up on a shelf to look at.  In some cases, like during the plague, there were practical reasons to this.  But at other times there were popular pious movements that emphasized adoration over the reception of the Eucharist.  Today's Gospel certainly maintains the importance of eating and drinking, the Body and Blood of Christ.

St. Pius X, while Pope during the early part of the last century, emphasized the importance of frequent reception of the Eucharist.  While Pontiff he lowered the age for first communion, supported the frequent reception of Reconciliation and the Eucharist, and devotion to the Eucharist.  Pius was one of many who recognized the foundational  importance of the Eucharist in the life of the Church, and especially the daily life of men and women.

To be sure, receiving the Eucharist requires that we take this sacrament faithfully and in purity.  When we consider who it is we are receiving within us it causes us to ponder our response to this great gift, and our relationship with the world.  Just as the bread and wine is changed into the Body and Blood of Christ, we too are transformed into a Eucharistic people.  The Bread of life invites us to respond to the world with charity and mercy, just as the giver of this gift responds to us.  The Eucharist asks us to seek wisdom and truth in all of our daily endeavors.

Again as is often commented, this is not 'fast food.'  We share this meal within the community of faith.  We are eating and drinking with each other.  Not unlike the table in the homestead, there are particular table manners that must be followed.  St. Paul today would simply suggest that we do not act foolishly around the Eucharistic table.  Not only do we have Christ within us, but so does everyone else who we share this meal with.  We are sharing in the Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation.  The eating and drinking is an activity of the Church, which informs all of our other actions.

Lately at my parish we have had difficulty in maintaining enough Ministers of Holy Communion, for all of the Masses.  So, we have the Body and Blood available at some Masses, and only one form at the others,  The Church says that the best form is to receive both the Bread and the Cup.  This is the fullest expression.  This make sense since chapter six here in John's Gospel emphasizes the eating and drinking nature of the Eucharist.

This sacred meal is extremely important for the life of our Church.  It is certainly not a solo act, nor an occasion to look and see.  Jesus invites us to 'taste and see the goodness of the Lord.'