THIS IS MY BODY GIVEN FOR THE LIFE OF THE WORLD

XX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - John 6:51-58

We have been reading chapter six of the gospel of John, the longest chapter in the gospels. It deals mainly with the theme of the bread of life. In the narrative of the Last Supper, John substitutes the Eucharist institution by the washing of the feet. For John, Jesus is the Servant of the Lord who gives his life for the world's redemption. As a servant, Jesus is a role model for his disciples, who are called to service and to give their lives for the sake of salvation. However, John dedicated nearly a whole chapter to the Eucharist, the bread of life.

The Eucharist, being at the centre of the Church’s life, has a richness of meaning that must be expressed in a variety of forms. Obeying Jesus’ command, we celebrate the Eucharist in memory of his Last Supper and of his passion and death. In the Eucharist, we celebrate his resurrection, as we wait for his coming. The Eucharist is the memorial of Jesus Christ, his words, his actions and Himself. The Word Incarnate becomes present in our midst for the salvation of the world. In the Eucharist, Jesus is for us the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In the Eucharist, Jesus is the priest who offers himself in sacrifice, shedding the blood which is the seal of the new covenant. This sacrifice is the same and only sacrifice offered once and for all on the cross for the remission of sins. At the same time, it is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to almighty God, the Father of mercies. In the Eucharist, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, that is his victory over death through which he defeated the power of evil and the prince of this world. In the Eucharist, we are invited to the banquet of the Lord. We sit at his table and receive from him the bread of life. As the bread of life, we receive his body, flesh and blood, through which he establishes a deep communion with us: 

“He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood

lives in me

and I live in him.

As I, who am sent by the living Father,

myself draw life from the Father,

so whoever eats me will draw life from me.”