Good News ReflectionFOR NEXT SUNDAY: August 23, 200921st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Parish bulletins, faith-sharing groups, RCIA: For professionally published, printable copies of this reflection, please go to Catholic Digital Resources:http://catholicdr.com/calendar/August/21stB.htm - Preview a sample
Next Sunday's Readings:Josh 24:1-2a, 15-18bPs 34:2-3, 16-21 (with 9a)Eph 5:21-32John 6:60-69http://www.usccb.org/nab/082309.shtmlUSCCB Podcast of the Readings: http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_08_23.mp3
In next Sunday's Gospel reading, we see the tragic rejection of Christ's true mission by many who had been listening to him and watching him. How could they miss the message that he taught? "The words I have spoken are Spirit and life," he said. But they only heard his words on the surface level, in their flesh-nature. And thus they missed the life that he was offering: the healed life, the joyful life, the victorious life, the eternal life.
They weren't looking at Jesus spiritually. They saw him as a man, not a messiah, as a healer of bodies, not of souls, as a deliverer from the Romans instead of from their own sins.
Thus, the idea of eating his flesh and drinking his blood (which he had spoken of in the previous verses, in last Sunday's readings) truly was gross and unthinkable. They couldn't grasp the Spirit and life behind those words. It seemed that Jesus had become too bizarre to follow.
The true disciples – those who remained to learn more from him – also didn't understand what he meant, not yet, but they recognized the presence of the Holy Spirit in his words.
How many times has Jesus come to you in another person and you didn't recognize him, because what you saw was the human individual and what you focused on was the un-Christ-like behaviors of that person?
Everyone has been created in the image of God. They would not be alive if the Holy Spirit hadn't given them life. Even non-Christians have the presence of Christ in them. To live a more victorious life, we have to look beneath the surface to find the Jesus who is somewhere inside everyone we meet.
Do you have any difficulty recognizing the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist at Mass? Practice recognizing Jesus when he comes to you in others, and you will see the Eucharist in new ways.
Questions for Personal Reflection:Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father." How has the Father gifted you with the ability to recognize Jesus? What has happened in your life that opened your eyes to who Jesus really is?
Questions for Community Faith Sharing:What blocks our view of Jesus when he comes to us through others? What expectations get in the way? What disappointments? What prejudices? Share with your group a time when you learned to see past the flesh to discover Jesus in someone you didn't like. What led to this discovery?
STARTING ON MONDAY, if you're a member of the "Emmaus Journey" e-group, share your answers by writing to EmmausJourney@gnm.org* To join and become a member, go to: http://gogoodnews.net/GNMcommunities/EmmausJourney/
© 2009 by Terry A. ModicaFor PERMISSION to copy any of my reflections, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections/copyrights-DR.htm
Seeking a past reflection?Click this button to register for the searchable Archive Library of the Good News Reflections. One week access is free as a special gift to subscribers of these emailed reflections.
WAS THIS FORWARDED TO YOU BY A FRIEND?To sign up for your own subscription, go to:http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections
Why do I need you as a partner in my daily ministry?Please help with a donation, including non-financial support. Good News Ministries affects countless lives around the world, including in countries where people have no Catholic Mass and where Christianity is persecuted. continue... Join the cause on facebook and help spread the message!
Note: Good News Ministries is a non-profit organization that accepts donations as support for its ministries but does not charge for anything. Catholic Digital Resources™ is Terry Modica's publishing house providing professional writing services; the income from this will eventually support the future growth and projects of Good News Ministries. Please spread the word; tell your DRE, RCIA Director, pastor, etc. about what's available for parishes at Catholic Digital Resources™.
______________________________________________________________This is the "Good News Reflections - Early Edition" mailing list.MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION:Change your addressUnsubscribe
No comments:
Post a Comment