Jn 6:51-58 The Gift of His LoveHow often do you run to your window to witness the sun rise? When was the last time you laid down on the grass and looked up at the stars? How often do you tell your spouse (and children) that you love them? Do you remember the last time you took a walk along the beach? You know the answers to all of these questions.
Do I wish to live my life in a constant state of war? Where nothing goes right and everyone is wrong? Do I really want to spend years of my life burning bridges but holding on to grudges so as to relive painful experiences?
Today is the feast of Corpus Christi, a celebration of our Lord’s most precious gift - his most precious life and most precious love. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.”
Let us never forget that Jesus gave himself (The Eucharist) on the night He was betrayed. He knew all things, and knowing all things did our Lord begin to shout and scream, yell and kick? No. Knowing all things, on the night He was betrayed, He gave it all. This is what is most striking about Christ! At our worst, He gave us His best.
Let us not forget that the Lord gave himself to the Eleven, eleven unworthy men. Is it enough to love those who love you? No, says the Lord, what merit is there in that? The Lord gives even to those who do not deserve it. The Eucharist is the eternal gift of Unconditional Love.
When we truly love someone, we have to be careful not to suffocate or drain them. Love does not suffocate or drain, but rather is given and consumed. The Lord gives himself to be consumed and is never drained. His love comes from above, it rains down from Heaven. His love comes from a source that is pure, uncontaminated, that gives before it receives, seeks before it finds, and knocks upon the unopened door. Christ’s love, his body and blood, is such that the more He gives, the more He receives. His love will never end.
We can do better in the way we live our lives. We can do much better in our relationships. Too much is taken for granted. Too little is given away.
Scientists examine the heavens to give numbers and names to things (and the names and numbers they give are boring!). What a waste of beauty. They seem to find all the right things but never take the time to reflect upon the beautiful things! They bring heaven down to earth and make it boring.
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Nicodemus asked, “Can a man once born be born again from his mother’s womb?” The experts of heaven appear to be at a loss because they are trying to do what scientists do. Jesus answered Nicodemus, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things from above?” There is more than bread and wine here. There is more than a man here! There is much more than meets the eye here.
It takes more than meets the eye to get to know someone. It will also take more than what is written on paper. The best way to know someone is to know them by heart. Sometimes, if you want to understand certain things, it means you have to take a leap of faith. To do that requires a tremendous lover. Again and again, the Lord, through the Eucharist, provides. Will you?
