Daily Gospel Reflection for June 11, 2023: Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Kathryn Mulderink

Today's Gospel: John 6:51-58

This glorious solemnity, celebrated all over the world in many demonstrative ways, can be easily reduced to a simple nod toward the Eucharist. But it is so much more than that.

Today’s Gospel picks up John 6 as Jesus states clearly:

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven.”

And then he amplifies this statement boldly, so that there is absolutely no question about his meaning:

“The bread that I will give is my flesh.”

We cannot really blame the Jews for their disbelief of these graphic words, which they understandably interpret as some kind of cannibalism, which is forbidden and repugnant. But Jesus keeps doubling down, without any apology or nuance; repeatedly, Jesus insists on the need to eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to have life.

The only glimmer of explanation we receive is something that would only be understood over time:

“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 an incredible statement! Just as Christ draws His life and receives His mission from the Father, so also we draw our life and receive our mission (are “sent”) from receiving the Eucharist.

Later, the disciples witnessed what Jesus meant by giving His flesh for the life of the world in His passion and death. And only slowly would they understand that we are given as bread not a corpse, but the glorified body, blood, soul, and divinity of the risen One in the sacrament of the altar.

Finally, the Spirit would teach the Church that this Bread is the source and summit of the Christian life, the only way to fill the deepest hunger of the human person.

Ponder:

Where am I in my journey to understanding and accepting fully this fundamental truth of our faith?

Pray:

Lord, You have given me the gift of Your very body, blood, soul, and divinity to be the very life of my soul. Give me the grace of gratitude and humility to receive this Gift more worthily, as often as I can.

Click to tweet:
"The bread that I will give is my flesh." Is Jesus calling us to some kind of cannibalism? No, He calls us to the source and summit, the only way to fill our deepest hunger.  #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Kathryn Mulderink

Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is mother of seven, grandmother of seven, and president of the local Secular Discalced Carmelites. She has published five books. Over 30 years, she has worked in school and parish administration, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church as a DRE, writer, and speaker, helping others encounter Christ. www.KathrynTherese.com