August 19, 2012 – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Prv 9:1-6; Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Eph 5:15-20; Jn 6:51-58
In today’s readings, we focus on the Holy Eucharist. Jesus tells us, “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.”
The Eucharist is, in fact, Jesus’ body and blood. It is not simply a symbol. It is real. Christ gives Himself, whole and entire, so that we might have life in Him.
It is our responsibility, then, not only to revere the Eucharist, recognizing its sacred nature, but to run to Christ in the Eucharist, to receive Him regularly and eagerly, with hearts burning to live for Him.
What’s more, today’s readings challenge us to ponder how we live our lives. In response to God’s gift of Himself, do we offer Him ourselves, whole and entire, in return?
St. Paul tells us, we are called to live for the Lord, “giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.”
