Homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - August 22, 2021

 Readings can be found here.

            Many of Jesus’ disciples found the saying hard and couldn’t accept it.  As a result, many returned to their former way of life and no longer followed Him.  What exactly did Jesus say that they found so hard they walked away from Him?  In our Gospel today, Jesus tells the disciples it is the Spirit that gives life and that the words Jesus spoke are spirit and life.  Was that the statement that was too hard?  Or perhaps when Jesus stated that no one could come to Him unless it was granted by the Father?  No, for the answer to why the disciples left, we need to look at the verses just before today’s reading.  They’re between the Gospel reading from two weeks ago and today.

            Two Sundays ago, we heard Jesus say, “I am the living bread that comes down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever.”  That Gospel reading is part of what’s known as the Bread of Life discourse.  In the verses that follow, Jesus further states “For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”  Imagine how hard it must have been for the disciples to understand what Jesus was telling them.  This was well before the Last Supper when Jesus gave the disciples the Eucharist.  Jesus asked the disciples to trust Him and believe in His words, difficult though they seemed.  The Apostles likely didn’t understand either, but Peter summed it up when they were asked whether they would leave also: Jesus was the Holy One of God and has the words of eternal life.  Where else is there to go?

            Today, I think people still struggle with Jesus’ message in the Bread of Life discourse.  We now understand what it means to eat Jesus’ flesh and drink His blood.  Jesus refers to the Eucharist, which is the Real Presence of Jesus among us.  However, a recent Pew Research Survey from 2019 shows that most Catholics (69%) believe the Eucharist is not the Real Presence, but just a symbol of Jesus’ body and blood. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states “In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.  It is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present.”  In other words, the Eucharist IS Jesus, God and human, in the form of bread and wine.  Jesus is physically present with us today, right there in the Tabernacle.  And soon, Father will consecrate bread and wine and Jesus will be present with us physically on the altar.

            What does the Real Presence mean to us?  What does it mean to realize we’re taking Jesus, the Living Bread from Heaven, inside of us?  To be truly part of us in a such an intimate way?  As I’ve been praying on these readings, I found it a difficult question to answer for myself.  I’m reminded of all that Jesus sacrificed for us and am truly humbled by God’s love and mercy.  At the same time, I’m filled with joy that Jesus is with me and a part of me.  I’m reminded that as a disciple I need to follow Jesus’ example.  It gives me great peace to know that I can go to a church, be in the same place with Jesus, and talk to Him as I would any of my closest friends or loved ones.  There’s something special about being physically close to someone that deepens the relationship.

            This gift from God of the Real Presence of Jesus is not something we should keep to ourselves, but one we should share with others.  There are many ways we can do so.  Eucharistic ministers have the privilege of sharing Jesus directly during Mass.  We can also share Jesus with others in how we live our lives, at home, at work, or at school.  We can be a light to others that can lead them to experiencing Jesus for themselves.  We can also invite people we know to attend Mass.  Perhaps we have a child, relative, or friend that has fallen away from their faith.  Something as simple as “why don’t you come to Mass with me today” may be all it takes.  Or perhaps you know someone who is curious about the faith and might be a good candidate for the RCIA program.  Again, sometimes a person is just looking for an invitation.

            Jesus has the words of eternal life and provides us the means to everlasting life through His Real Presence in the Eucharist.  What does it mean to us to realize that the Eucharist IS Jesus, body, soul, and divinity?  Do we find this saying hard, or do we accept it and try to share it with others?