THE MOST HOLY BODY OF CHRIST-C

I Reading: Genesis 14:18-20: Melchizedek, king and priest, brought bread and wine.

II Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26: Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the Lord’s death.

Gospel: Luke 9:11-17: From five loaves and two fish the crowd ate as much as they wanted, and the scraps filled twelve baskets.

Jesus Teaches How to Minister, Lk 9:10-17

God shows his love for people by preparing his gifts well in advance (Heb 7:1-2, Gen 14:17-20; Ps 110:4). Jesus prepared his people wisely and delicately to accept his gift of the Holy Eucharist (Mt 14:13-21; Mk 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-17; 22:19;  Jn 6:1-13). For the Eucharist to yield its fruit, the Christian community must celebrate it united in mutual love (1Cor 11:23-25; 15:23; 11: 18,20; Mt 26:26-28; Mk 14:22-24; Lk 22: 19-20).

Jesus’ gift of himself in the Eucharist is intimately connected with that of his own life on the cross; his love for us shines at its best in both gifts. Jesus urges us to repent of our sins and to put ourselves under his Father’s loving rule, to enter into his kingdom and to worthily and gratefully accept his Body and Blood as the nourishment of the Life in the Spirit within us. Mutual union, and concern for our brothers and sisters in the community, are essential conditions to celebrate the Eucharist in a worthy manner.

Jesus once said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to save” (cp. Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45). So it is with the Lord’s disciple. But how the disciple ministers is of vital concern, for how he ministers determines the eternal fate of people and the success or failure of the Lord’s mission. In this passage Jesus teaches His followers how to minister (Mt 14:15-21; Mk 6:30-44).

1. He demonstrated and taught the need for privacy and rest (v.10)

a. The twelve returned and reported to Jesus

b. Jesus sought privacy with the disciple

2. He allowed the needy to interrupt the much needed privacy and rest (v.11)

3. He met both spiritual and physical needs (v.11)

4. He challenged the disciples to meet the people’s needs (v.12-13)

a. The wrong attitude: Let the people take care of themselves

b. The right attitude: let the disciples meet the people’s needs

c. The problem: Inadequate resources

5. He approached needs in an orderly fashion (v.14-15)

6. He looked to God in meeting needs (v.16-17)

a. He thanked God for what he had

b. He broke and gave what he had

c. He utilized all for future ministering and feeding

Thought: The task is enormous. It can be met only by an orderly, organized approach. The lesson is clear for every believer. Once we do our part, God will multiply our resources. There will always be enough to feed all-if we will only confess our inadequate resources, give thanks for what we have, and then give what we have. (Mt 6:33; Mal 3:10; Ps 24:1; 41:1; 50:10; Prov 11:25, 22:9, 28:27; Eccl 11:1; Is 32:8, 58:10; Hag 2:8).

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