Body and Blood of Christ Year C
Genesis 14:18–20
Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4
1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Luke 9:11b–17
Leftovers are always available when sharing occurs. We live in a time when many leftovers go to waste. Some individuals say, “I don’t eat leftovers.” This becomes a principle for living, and the world is invited to cater to their tastes and “throw away the rest.”
Anyone who grew up in a big family knows that leftovers were the food on the table. Mom had a special meal fairly often that was known as a “casserole.” The recipe was never the same. It was a concoction of whatever was left in the refrigerator that week. Sometimes it was very tasty.
As I ventured into the world, I had some experiences that you might recognize. The first time I was at a home that served steak for dinner, I was surprised to see a whole steak placed on my plate. “This is all for me?” I had the impression growing up that steak was served whole in the middle of the table on one plate and then cut up in “fair pieces” for everyone who would partake.
Another “meaty experience” was having meatloaf as a main course. The first time I had it in the home of a small family, I noted that the meatloaf tasted rather meaty. I asked about the recipe. It did not seem to include what I always thought of as the surprise ingredient: breadcrumbs, cracker crumbs or rice.
Comparing that to the experience of the steak, I came to a realization. I was happy to tell my mother that I had figured out that the extra ingredient was “filler” to stretch the meat to cover a meal for a family with eight children. It was truly “hamburger helper” that allowed us all to get a taste of the meat.
Not so, my Mom insisted. It was the way her mother had made it. (Mom’s clan had seven children – so the principle was the same; my Mom just never realized it was so.)
The Apostles were concerned about feeding the multitude but suggested to the Lord that He send the members of the crowd on their way to fend for themselves. Jesus invited them, and He continues to invite us to address the problem more personally. “Give them some food yourselves.”
We are called to recognize Jesus, the risen Lord, in the “breaking of the bread,” that is, in the very action of Eucharist. Paul points out the tradition of the Last Supper: Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and saying the words of self-giving consecration, gave it to His disciples, charging them to live as He did.
He did the same with the chalice of wine, identifying it with the blood He would pour out on the cross. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.”
In our time, sadly, many do not grasp the depth of the meaning of the gift of Eucharist. Words and explanations do not convince. Something more is needed. Our lives are meant to bring the Eucharist, Jesus Himself, to the world.
May the Spirit enliven in us true faith in the Living Bread. If we share what is at our table and are truly witnesses to our own belief in the Eucharist by our love, there will be more than enough food. There will be leftovers, and everyone will have a taste. “Give them some food yourselves.”
May the love that is evident among us be a sign to the world of the truth of the Eucharist and of the One Who gives us Himself as the Bread of Life and the Chalice of Salvation.
O Sacrament, Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine: All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!