Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk
20th Sunday of the Year, B
– August 19, 2018.
Readings: Proverbs 9:1-6; Ps 34:1-2.9-10.11-12.13-14
(R.8a);
Ephesians 5:15:20; Gospel – John 6:51-58.
Theme: The Real Presence &
Catholicism!
Introduction
Beloved in Christ, today, we continue our reflection on the
Holy Eucharist from the Johannine text. You will discover that for 5 Sundays,
the Church has asked that we pay attention to the theology of the Holy Eucharist.
This is because Sacosanctum Concilium,
Number 10 states that the Eucharistic liturgy “is the source and summit of our
Christian lives and existence.” Little wonder, Ecclesia De Eucharistia Number 1 also attests that the Church draws
her life from the Holy Eucharist.
As such, our refection titled, “The Real
Presence & Catholicism” shall san through the background and summary of the readings, make a
case for the real presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist by presenting few
narratives/miracles to that effect and give an expose the theology of the
Eucharist. This will be followed by pastoral application and practical lessons,
homiletic points to remember and conclusion.
Background &
Summary of the Readings
Our first reading from the Book of Proverbs
(Prov. 9:1-6)
personifies wisdom as a woman who built a house, prepared an irresistible meal
and invited all, including the fool or ignorant to partake. It indicates that
while wisdom’s meal leads to life (v.17), foolishness kills her guests (v.18).
While we may see this as a simple passage, it is nonetheless, a pointer to
greater realities. Accordingly, it contains great riches because it is an
invitation to oblige God who is himself wisdom personified by partaking in the
feast in which bread and wine will be served (vv. 2,5) representing the Holy
Eucharist that is celebrated here below as a foretaste of the eschatological
banquette in heaven. What is interesting is that partaking of this feast leads
to life (v.6).
The message of the second reading (Ephesians 5:15:20) is in
line with the first reading because it reminds us about the Liturgy of Life which entails the
practical dimension of the Holy Mass occasioned by the Great Commission given
at the end of the Eucharistic liturgy: “Go and announce the gospel by your
life.” St. Paul charges that we should be careful about the sort of lives we
lead. He particularly notes that although we may be living in a wicked age, we
can redeem it if we live like intelligent not senseless people.
He charges Christians to recognize the will of the Lord in
their lives by shunning drunkenness and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Most
importantly, the Pauline Epistle surmises that we should transport the psalms
and hymns we chant and sing at Mass into the Liturgy of Life which can make our lives a testimony of
thanksgiving to God, in Christ Jesus.
From the invitation of Lady Wisdom to Catholic Action through
Liturgy of Life in the second reading, the gospel presents us with an expose
on the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The controversy among the Jews
about Jesus’ firm assertion: “The bread that I shall is my flesh, for the life
of the world” tells the story more. Expectedly, they grumbled: “How can this
man give us his flesh to eat?” Rather than getting discouraged, Jesus used the
opportunity to do a full length Catechesis on the Holy Eucharist: “…if you do
not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life
in you.”
Theology of the Real
Presence
In the Catholic Church, the doctrine of the real Presence
assets that: “In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus is literally and wholly present in
Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity under the appearances of bread and wine. What
this means is that at very celebration of Holy Mass, Christ is literally present
(Cf. Cor. 10:16-17, 11:23-29; John 6:32-71) giving his children life in
abundance. Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is really, truly, and
substantially present in the Eucharist.
