Amala William csc –
Readings: Acts 9: 1-20; Jn 6:52-59
The first reading speaks about life and conversion of Paul. He was a learned man, expert in the book of laws. For him, to live a Pharisaic life was more important than anything else on earth.
Therefore, he went on persecuting Christians to uphold the vitality of laws. What I admire in Paul is that he was a vigorous man filled with enthusiasm while persecuting Christians and, after his conversion, in spreading the good news of Christ.
In the gospel, Jesus was charged with asking Jews to eat his flesh and blood. Today’s readings portray the power of Christ. It is tangible in the life of Paul although it was a short and quick experience with the person of Christ. Such an experience transformed him to be a soldier of Christ in spreading God’s law of love. Many would find Jesus’s teaching as hard and difficult to grasp and sometimes, controversial to the way of life. One such saying of Jesus made people upset because they did not understand the meaning of it.
Traditionally, Jews revered Manna – the heavenly food which nourished Israelites in the wilderness. Here, Jesus himself becomes the food and drink for his people. By receiving him, we become complete and let Jesus to enter and be a part of the affairs that we are engaged in. As faithful Catholics, we participate in the Holy Eucharist and receive the Holy Communion. How often have we felt his real presence with us? Have we allowed him to function on our behalf?
It is not a matter of receiving the Holy Communion several times in a day, but how much we are aware of Christ’s living presence in us. If we have consumed him with full awareness, then our life would be more Jesus-oriented like that of St. Paul.