Readings:
Genesis 14:18-20
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Luke 9:11-17
Reflection
We live in a world where 9.9 percent of the population is starving. What makes matters worse is that in Australia alone 7.6 million tonnes of food is lost or wasted each year. Jesus’ words to the disciples, “You give them something to eat” are ones that disciples in every age need to hear. Like other communities in our province at Holy Cross, we collect bread from a local bread shop once a week. It is sliced, bagged, frozen, and used by the community, the retreat centre, and distributed to others. This is but one of many ways that we can nourish each other and share in Jesus’ message of compassion and care.
On this feast of Corpus Christi, we give thanks for the ways that we are nourished in our celebration of the Eucharist. What an extraordinary gift we receive when we gather together, break the bread and share the cup remembering Jesus’ gift of self that both creates and continues to sustain us as individuals and as communities. As with those who gathered with him long ago, Jesus takes what we have, blesses and breaks it, and in that miracle of love, it is more than enough. As a Passionist family, we are called not only to proclaim Jesus’ death but keep that miracle alive by sharing what we have so that others might live.
Fr. Chris CP lectures in the New Testament and is President of Yarra Theological Union. He is a member of the Passionist community of Holy Cross in Templestowe.