A Few Words On "The Word"

August 13, 2006
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

John 6: 41-51

Just Who Does He Think He Is-Again?

Back to John and chapter 6. (Hey, if you're wondering what we missed because last Sunday was the Transfiguration and had its own gospel, check out John 6: 24-35.)

Remember a few weeks ago, after Jesus healed the chronically ill woman and raised the 12 year old girl from the dead, his friends dissed him by asking "Who does he think he is?" Well, here we go again. Here, Jesus multiplied 5 loaves and two fish and fed a huge army of people, including us who get the twelve baskets of leftovers. When he tries to explain what this means, it's just too much for some people to take. When he tries to explain it by saying "I am the bread of life," some people even freak. "Isn't this what's-his-name from that Podunk little town, Nazareth? Who does he think he is?"

Then Jesus goes over the top. Not only does he say that he is the bread of life, that he will give his own flesh and blood as bread and wine, he then says: Nobody gets through to God except through me. Whoa. Now usually in life, when someone claims to have all the answers, to know the only way to do whatever, run the other way! This is how weird cults get started and kids get all brainwashed into becoming slaves to some lunatic.

But with Jesus-as usual-it's different. When he says we gotta go through him, he's not acting like Nike or Apple. (You want these shoes, get 'em here? IPod? We're the only game in town.) He's not trying to cheat some gullible granny out of her pension money like some slick television preacher. Jesus isn't going take, he's going to give. He's not trying to sell us some philosophy, some book, some idea. He's trying to get us to follow his example, live like he lives. He doesn't say that he's the answer, or he's the leader. He says that he is bread to be eaten, wine to be drunk. Torn apart and spilled out so that others can live, too. Jesus knows that to really be all you can be, you have to live for and with others. Feeding people with your presence, attention, compassion, talents-and in turn, being fed by them. The bread of life!

Don't think you can do it? When you go to communion, share in Christ's body and blood, you are what you eat (and drink)!

Reflection Question

How are you a piece in the loaf of the bread of life for others?

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