Who will tell of his posterity?

Greetings on this the Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; Jn 6:44-51

Notes

Forgive me. I am merging the readings of the days ahead (Friday and Saturday) to bring clarity to today’s gospel portion in a particular way.

The [leadership] quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?”

Many of the disciples of Jesus who were listening said, “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” Since Jesus knew that his disciples were murmuring about this, he said to them, “Does this shock you? What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit that gives life, while the flesh is of no avail. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.

As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer walked with him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.

Summary

For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him.

Reflection

Even to this day people struggle with the Eucharistic gift of Jesus in the Bread and Wine. It isn’t a struggle against historical fact or translation of Greek and Latin. It is a struggle against the extremes of love – and the instinctive response yearning for that love. Here then Jesus’ words in a like manner: No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. And, again, I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.

Personal Reflection

I missed Jesus. While on the AT the Catholic Churches were few and far between. Besides that, the opportunities to get off the trail were at the ‘mountain gaps’ and they were often 10’s of miles away from the nearest town. Sometimes a shuttle is available. Sometimes not. I brought with me prayer and liturgy, faith and faith practices. I brought everything I had to strengthen my faith and express my love for Jesus.

Holy Week was especially difficult. Lonely even. On the Easter Vigil I sang the Praeconium Paschale at sundown. Hikers tenting at the site for the night came over to listen and hear the explanation. This song is sang one night each year. The night of the Resurrection. To recall the event, the love, the mystery. The Light has come into the world and darkness shall not overcome it. The sanctifying power of this night dispels wickedness, washes faults away, restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners, drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.

Who will tell of his posterity? I will.

Jesus lives. Jesus remains. Jesus feeds us as in the days of Galilee.

I am no more ashamed to feed on the gift of Flesh and Blood of the Risen Lord than an infant is ashamed to suckle at the breast of their mother who gives her life to her baby. I am no more ashamed to carry a crucifix of the Lord than a photo of my mother. I am content to live in the foolishness of God.

First Reading

Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who will tell of his posterity?
For his life is taken from the earth.

Responsorial

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Gospel Acclamation

I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever.

Gospel

They shall all be taught by God.
I am the bread of life.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

P.S.

AI Assist evaluation (It helps me be a better writer).