When I was a Senior in High School, the Priest, Father Moran, gave us a 6 week course proving basis Catholic doctrines using the King James version of the Bible. One of the doctrines was Transubstantiation. The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The proof started with our readings today from John chapter 6 and is continued on in Luke.
Most people like me are shocked that in the United States today only 31 percent believe that Jesus is present in the Blessed Sacrament. Why do we kneel in Church? We do it because we are in the presence of Jesus. When my wife, Anna, and I visited her two cousins in Miami, Florida who are both Priests. During the visit we went to Mass in a side chapel. There was another Priest saying Mass. He raised the Eucharist with such reverence that we both noticed and were blessed by the simple act of care he took in holding the host (Jesus).
One thing I noticed in our first readings today from Acts was the strength we get from food. Saint Paul had to prepare himself for what Christ’s mission for him to preach to the Gentiles. The symbolism of food for strength and spiritual food receiving the body of Christ is important to our lives. Since my wife’s illness I have been taking over some of the cooking duties. My grits have always been perfect. I love breakfast but my wife doesn’t. My potatoes ( pronounced Pa TAY dah in Ireland ) are a standby staple. We get 3 meals delivered weekly from one of those companies that ship the food to you with the recipes and instructions. The rest of the week we prepare other our old favorite meals. Cooking requires care, patience and respect and attention to detail. We eat out sometimes. Some restaurants in Oklahoma prepare grits that have the consistency of cement. Florida and other parts of the South have a better idea of how to prepare them. Nonetheless, the consumption of food is life sustaining and pleasurable. It always tastes better when prepared together and eaten with others at the table.
For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Whoever east my flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.
Not sure where the 69 percent of Catholics are today, but these are the words of Jesus that don’t need interpretation. They are the same in the King James and New American or any Bible you pick up.
We need both spiritual food of Jesus and material food to keep us alive. Reverence and care in the preparation will have a successful outcome in our lives.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Pray for all those with Cancer and their caregivers. Pray for peace in the Ukraine.
