Weekly Gospel Reflection

A few years ago in my early years of teaching, I remember one wet day timetable walking past one of my students who was drawing a picture of a someone. Upon asking them who they were drawing, they replied “I am drawing God of course!” While we can give full points to my student for their confidence on knowing exactly what God looks like, but in reality this question is probably more complicated.

When attempting to explain the concept of the Holy Spirit to students, we sometimes compare it to the wind. Just as we can't see the wind itself, we can observe and feel its effects all around us. But how can we connect with a God whom we cannot see, whose appearance remains unknown, and whom we cannot physically touch?

That's where the Sacraments come in. Jesus left us with these sacred rituals, through which we can experience God in a deeply human way. In the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), we can engage in a conversation with Jesus through the priest, sharing our thoughts, listening, and receiving forgiveness. Through the Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Baptism, we can feel the presence of Christ through the use of holy oils and water.

In this week's Gospel, Jesus invites us to emulate him through our senses of taste and smell. He tells his disciples, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." He further explains, "For my flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink."

At first, this may sound unusual, especially since we don't often hear people talking this way at the dinner table! However, if we delve deeper, we can gain a clearer understanding of what Jesus means. First, Jesus is often found among groups of people sharing meals, where stories, songs, food, and drinks are shared.

Secondly, the Jewish people would have recognized the profound connection between Jesus' words and the Jewish Passover. According to the instructions given to Moses by God, every Hebrew was to sacrifice a lamb and consume it with flat bread. By doing so, they would be protected by God, while the Egyptians would face punishment.

Through his death, Jesus became our sacrificial lamb, and through the Eucharist, we continue the tradition of Passover with a renewed understanding. So, what does this mean for us today? The Eucharist and the other Sacraments offer us an opportunity to connect with a God whom we cannot see. They enable us to engage in dialogue with a God whom we cannot hear. And most importantly, they allow us to directly experience the love of God.

This week, we are called to contemplate how we can experience God in our surroundings. You might consider attending a weekly Mass, participating in Reconciliation, or, when appropriate, seeking the Anointing of the Sick. Alternatively, you may choose to pause and embrace opportunities to encounter God in our everyday lives—taking a walk to a scenic lookout or cherishing a joyful moment shared with a friend or family member.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be your Name. 

Your Kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation, 

But deliver us from evil.

Amen. 

St John Vianney, 

Pray for us