Please reading the passage before the homily.
“Share your bread with the hungry. Clothe the naked.” The prophets have always spoken out in favor of the poor, the oppressed, the foreigner. They have also cried out against all our ritual actions, our sacrifices and our public celebrations have absolutely no value unless we share our wealth and power with those in need.
Unfortunately, our wealthy society does not understand this; it thinks instead that unless wealth keeps growing in value, it is a loss.
How much do we put our income on the line? We hear the words, “Do this in memory of me.” What does this mean? Jesus, the Son of God has taken on our human nature. Then he says that this bread is his body and the contents of this cup is his blood. At communion, we eat and drink the Lord Jesus. What are we doing in memory of him?
Let me backtrack. In Baptism we are incorporated into Christ. We become Christian and are Christ. As bread and wine changed into Christ, we who are baptized in Christ are being changed into bread and wine.
What are bread and wine good for? Yes, being eaten, consumed. If we “do this in memory of him”, We allow ourselves to be consumed, eaten. As Christ is consumed, we are given the example, the challenge, the order, to allow ourselves to be consumed by others.
If we have celebrated properly, then we shall leave here ready to have others eat off of us.
What is the word of the prophet? “Share your bread, clothe the naked.” “Let your light shine for others to see.” Do something to help the Haitians in Springfield; help the homeless and beggar, the mentally ill and others in need. The Lord has given everything he has to us in Holy Communion; now we give to others of what Christ has given us.
Leave a Reply