Scripture Study for
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Deuteronomy 8:2–3, 14b–16a / Psalm 147:12 / 1 Corinthians 10:16–17 / John 6:51–58
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Understanding the Word
By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.
The reading from Deuteronomy shows that God’s graciousness is not to be squandered. The people are told to remember the past in order to act in a certain way in the present. Though the time of their sojourn in the wilderness is over, there are still lessons that they must learn from it. Moses directs the people to remember how God delivered them from bondage, guided them through the wilderness, miraculously gave them water, and provided them with mysterious food. The trials in the wilderness did not so much test their obedience to the commandments as their total dependence on God.
Paul’s discourse on the Eucharist not only identifies the symbolic potential of the substances of bread and wine, but it also describes actions that are rich in symbolism. It is by sharing the cup that is blessed that one participates in the blood of Christ. Eating food with another establishes a bond of companionship, a bond that includes mutual obligations. Paul further insists that breaking bread together may form us into a community, but sharing eucharistic bread forms us into the body of Christ. The acts of blessing the cup and breaking the bread have profound significance for salvation and the life of the church.
Jesus identifies his flesh as the bread of heaven, thus giving manna a new meaning. His flesh and blood are the source of life for those who partake of them. In other words, eternal life comes from feeding on Jesus, not simply from believing in him. He insists that it is not something that believers merely hope to enjoy in the future. Rather, those who share in this meal already possess eternal life. Furthermore, just as we and whatever we eat and drink become one, so Jesus and those who feed on him form an intimate union. In a mutually intimate way, they abide in him and he abides in them. Jesus does not merely visit them, but he dwells with them permanently.