Presence and Word

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, ( Corpus Christi), celebrate the Presence of Christ in the Eucharist as food for our full life.

Pursue our Journey

The reading from the Book of Genesis recalls Melchizedek, king of Salem, who brought out bread and wine.

* [14:18] Melchizedek, king of Salem (Jerusalem, cf. Ps 76:3), appears with majestic suddenness to recognize Abraham’s great victory, which the five local kings were unable to achieve. He prepares a feast in his honor and declares him blessed or made powerful by God Most High, evidently the highest God in the Canaanite pantheon. Abraham acknowledges the blessing by giving a tenth of the recaptured spoils as a tithe to Melchizedek. The episode is one of several allusions to David, king at Jerusalem, who also exercised priestly functions (2 Sm 6:17). Heb 7 interprets Melchizedek as a prefiguration of Christ. God Most High: in Heb. El Elyon, one of several “El names” for God in Genesis, others being El Olam (21:33), El the God of Israel (33:20), El Roi (16:13), El Bethel (35:7), and El Shaddai (the usual P designation for God in Genesis). All the sources except the Yahwist use El as the proper name for God used by the ancestors. The god El was well-known across the ancient Near East and in comparable religious literature. The ancestors recognized this God as their own when they encountered him in their journeys and in the shrines they found in Canaan. (Genesis, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 110 proclaims God who assures the king that his enemies are conquered.

* [Psalm 110] A royal Psalm in which a court singer recites three oracles in which God assures the king that his enemies are conquered (Ps 110:1–2), makes the king “son” in traditional adoption language (Ps 110:3), gives priestly status to the king and promises to be with him in future military ventures (Ps 110:4–7). (Psalms, PSALM 110 | USCCB, n.d.)

The reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul relates the tradition of the Institution.

* [11:23–25] This is the earliest written account of the institution of the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament. The narrative emphasizes Jesus’ action of self-giving (expressed in the words over the bread and the cup) and his double command to repeat his own action. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand.

* [9:16] Then taking…: the actions of Jesus recall the institution of the Eucharist in Lk 22:19; see also note on Mt 14:19. (Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Andy Alexan­der, SJ sus­pects that some of us, like he, at var­i­ous times in our lives, took the Eucharist for grant­ed and lost a sense of the sacred, the inti­mate bond of this gift of his entire self to/for us, and we lost a sense of how the Eucharist mis­sions us to share that self-giv­ing love for others.

Can this grace of a feel­ing close to our Lord be restored?  Can we open our hearts to receive that pow­er­ful, per­son­al expe­ri­ence of love he offers us with his very self being bro­ken and poured out for us?  Can we imag­ine a renewed spe­cial moment when the min­is­ter offers us his Body and his Blood, while we stretch out our arms with a big smile and say “Amen,” mean­ing “Yes,” to the whole gift: “Yes, I desire to receive you into my heart.  Yes, I so desire to let you heal me with your love and I real­ly want to feel mis­sioned by this sacra­ment to love as you’ve loved me”?

I believe this is pos­si­ble because I’m expe­ri­enc­ing a bit of it more and more these days, deal­ing with my dimin­ish­ment. That jour­ney has led me to re-dis­cov­er an impor­tant tool Ignatius offers us, that is, locat­ing and ask­ing for the grace we desire.   To ask for this gift of a “holy com­mu­nion of love” we receive in the Eucharist is sure­ly to ask for a grace our Lord dear­ly wants to give us. (Alexander, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “Christ has yet to feed them with stronger food,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"The order of the mystery is preserved everywhere. The first healing is bestowed on wounds through the remission of sins. Then the nourishment of the heavenly table abounds, although this multitude is not yet refreshed with stronger foods, nor do hearts hungry for more solid faith feed on the body and blood of Christ (Hebrews 5:12-14). He says, 'I gave you milk to drink, not meat. For you then were not strong, nor are you yet' (1 Corinthians 3:2). The five loaves are like milk, but the more solid meat is the body of Christ, and the stronger drink is the blood of the Lord (Luke 22:19-20). Not immediately at first do we feast on all foods, nor do we drink all drinks. 'First drink this,' he says. Thus there is a first, then a second thing that you drink. There is also a first thing that you eat, then a second, and then a third. At first there are five loaves, then there are seven (Matthew 15:34). The third loaf is the true body of Christ. So, then, let us never abandon such a Lord. He agrees to bestow on us nourishment according to the strength of each, lest either too strong a food oppress the weak or too meager a nourishment not satisfy the strong."(excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 6.71-72) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 9:11-17 comments that whether we experience a Eucharistic miracle or not, Jesus is still present at every Mass. Just as he multiplied the five loaves and two fishes that day, he takes something so small—a simple piece of bread—and transforms it into his very flesh, to feed his people.

Today, offer Jesus your very self. Yes, the little that you have to offer him is enough! Give him your worries, your cares, but also your blessings and gifts. Trust in his miracle-working love and power to do amazing things in and through you.

“Jesus, nothing is too small for you. I worship you in the Eucharist, and I offer you the little that I have. Come and work your wonders in me!” (Meditation on Luke 9:11-17, n.d.)

Harry Elias SJ, assistant in the Hurtado Jesuit Centre in Wapping, East London, reflects on the communion with Christ into which we and all of creation are welcomed through the Eucharist.

At the Last Supper, Christ took bread and wine, blessed them (gave thanks to God for them) and declared the bread and wine to be his own body and blood, his sacrificial body, the embodiment of his sacrificial offering. He then gave them to his disciples to share. Earliest church tradition attests that the bread and wine were not merely a sign of Christ’s sacrificial body but actually were his body: the bread and wine had become a new creation. By becoming Christ’s flesh and blood, their identity was that of the Word of God (John 1:1). In offering the bread and wine, and in their being eaten and drunk, we come to communion (koinonia) with Christ in spirit, and through him with the Father, ‘so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life’ (Romans 6:4). Through our faith in Christ handed down to us by the Church, the joy and spiritual strength of hope we receive from the bread of life, the heavenly manna (John 6:50-51), enables us to endure the misfortunes in the wilderness of our lives. The Lord invites each one of us to his supper, to relax, rest and be refreshed in his personal love and in the Father’s love. (Elias, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the passage in Genesis where Melchizedek offers bread and wine as sacrifice in response to Abram. He is seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus “the king of righteousness” as outlined in the Letter to Hebrews. The first written version of the Last Supper, in Corinthians preceded by two decades the accounts in the New Testament. Friar Jude notes the different expressions of “blood” or “Covenant” in accounts and the different understanding in Greek or in Aramaic of Jesus Words.

Brian McLaren explores Jesus’ call to live by the collective values of justice and solidarity, becoming salt and light for the world. Jesus advocates an identity characterized by solidarity, sensitivity, and nonviolence. He celebrates those who long for justice, embody compassion, and manifest integrity and nonduplicity. He creates a new kind of hero: not warriors, corporate executives, or politicians, but brave and determined activists for preemptive peace, willing to suffer with him in the prophetic tradition of justice. 

Our choice is clear from the start: If we want to be his disciples, we won’t be able to simply coast along and conform to the norms of our society. We must choose a different definition of well-being, a different model of success, a new identity with a new set of values….  

If we seek the kind of unconventional blessedness he proposes, we will experience the true aliveness of God’s kingdom, the warmth of God’s comfort, the enjoyment of the gift of this Earth, the satisfaction at seeing God’s restorative justice come more fully, the joy of receiving mercy, the direct experience of God’s presence, the honor of association with God and of being in league with the prophets of old. That is the identity he invites us to seek. (McLaren, n.d.)

We ponder the declaration in the beginning of the Gospel of John that the Word is made flesh and dwells among us as we receive Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist. The Chosen episode offers an interesting interpretation of Jesus and the loaves and fishes.

References

Alexander, A. (2025, June 22). Daily Reflection June 22, 2025 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved June 22, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-22-2025 

Elias, H. (n.d.). Corpus Christi transforming creation. Thinking Faith: The online journal of the Jesuits in Britain. Retrieved June 22, 2025, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/corpus-christi-transforming-creation 

Genesis, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/14?18 

Luke, CHAPTER 9 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/9?11 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Acting from Our Identity. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved June 22, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/acting-from-our-identity/ 

Meditation on Luke 9:11-17. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved June 22, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/06/22/1310938/ 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/11?23 

Psalms, PSALM 110 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/110?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). All Ate and Were Satisfied. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 22, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=jun22a 

Sustained and Supported

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today nudge us to test situations for alignment with the Will of God even as we are open to responding with our talents to address the needs and hunger of those less fortunate.

Loaves and Love

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles presents a question if God is not the origin of this movement.

* [5:34] Gamaliel: in Acts 22:3, Paul identifies himself as a disciple of this Rabbi Gamaliel I who flourished in Jerusalem between A.D. 25 and 50.

* [5:36–37] Gamaliel offers examples of unsuccessful contemporary movements to argue that if God is not the origin of this movement preached by the apostles it will perish by itself. The movement initiated by Theudas actually occurred when C. Cuspius Fadus was governor, A.D. 44–46. Luke’s placing of Judas the Galilean after Theudas and at the time of the census (see note on Lk 2:1–2) is an indication of the vagueness of his knowledge of these events. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 27 asserts boundless hope that God will bring rescue.

* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3). (Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of John presents Jesus' Multiplication of the Loaves.

* [6:1] [Of Tiberias]: the awkward apposition represents a later name of the Sea of Galilee. It was probably originally a marginal gloss.

* [6:5] Jesus takes the initiative (in the synoptics, the disciples do), possibly pictured as (cf. Jn 6:14) the new Moses (cf. Nm 11:13).

* [6:6] Probably the evangelist’s comment; in this gospel Jesus is never portrayed as ignorant of anything.

* [6:7] Days’ wages: literally, “denarii”; a Roman denarius is a day’s wage in Mt 20:2.

* [6:9] Barley loaves: the food of the poor. There seems an allusion to the story of Elisha multiplying the barley bread in 2 Kgs 4:42–44.

* [6:10] Grass: implies springtime, and therefore Passover. Five thousand: so Mk 6:39, 44 and parallels.

* [6:13] Baskets: the word describes the typically Palestinian wicker basket, as in Mk 6:43 and parallels.

* [6:14] The Prophet: probably the prophet like Moses (see note on Jn 1:21). The one who is to come into the world: probably Elijah; cf. Mal 3:1, 23. (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Eileen Wirth comments that during Vietnam, peace activist Daniel Berrigan S.J., asked himself if he was drowning in bad news because he was failing to be good news. We should start our journey back to hope by asking how we can become “good news” to others. Since cruelty  seems to motivate  the treatment of migrants,  the poor, people of color and people with disabilities, how can we combat it?

Jesus told us to welcome the stranger and to care for the least of our brothers and sisters. If we believe this, we must actively obey these commands.  The possibilities are endless.  If you’re upset about the defunding of food banks, increase your donations or volunteer.  Support clinics serving people losing health care funding. Get involved with homeless shelters, services to children, schools and libraries – wherever you can make a difference. Get political if you choose but above all, don’t be a spectator while people suffer. (Wirth, 2025)

Don Schwager quotes “God enables us,” by Leo the Great, 400-461 A.D.

"In rendering service to the grace of God, we are not only made subject to our King through obedience but are even joined to him through the will. If we are of one mind with him (willing what he wills, disapproving of what he disapproves), he himself will bring us victory in all our battles. He who has given the 'will' will bestow also the ability. In this way can we 'cooperate' with his works, speaking that prophetic utterance in the exultation of faith: 'The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?'" (excerpt from Sermon 26,4,2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 5:34-42 asks how can we know if we are on the right track when it comes to understanding God’s will? We can follow Gamaliel’s example. We can acknowledge the limitations of our fallen, human ideas and approach puzzling situations with humility and caution. We can pray, “Lord, help me to know your heart and your will in this situation.

Whatever happens, be assured of this: the Lord is glad that you asked! He is glad that you are taking steps to understand him better. And he’s even more glad that you’re not trying to tell him what to do! He knows it means that you are growing in the way of wisdom—the same wisdom that Gamaliel had.

“Lord, show me how to listen patiently for your direction. Jesus, keep me from ever fighting against you!” (Meditation on Acts 5:34-42, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the advice of Gamaliel, a celebrated rabbi who was a teacher of Paul, that the Sanhedrin should not do anything in concern for the Will of God. The details of the feeding of the multiplication of the loaves is the fourth sign (cf. note on Jn 5:1–47). It is the only miracle story found in all four gospels (occurring twice in Mark and Matthew). Friar Jude reminds us of the resonance of the Gospel with Psalm 23, the Didache instruction on the celebration of Eucharist, and the response of Jesus to being misunderstood as a “problem solver”. The video series “Chosen” presents a thoughtful and human response presentation of this event in Jesus ministry. 

Brian McLaren considers Francis of Assisi’s celebrated affinity for nature. Saint Francis is probably best known for the “Canticle of the Sun,” the song of praise he wrote in 1225. Sister Joan Brown, former executive director of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light, responds to McLaren’s question: “What does it mean for a person to be a Franciscan and to feel themselves part of a Franciscan movement?”

One of the things that appealed to me about the Franciscan life is that it’s a life of prayer and action, action and prayer, back and forth, one feeding the other…. I started down the path of becoming a Secular Franciscan [2], and I thought, I’m going to do this prayer and then I’m going to take action. Then I realized there was … something far more basic, which was my simply being in the present moment and seeing the humanity of every person in front of me and seeing the living earth. I realized I’d gone my whole life sort of objectifying and categorizing, hardly seeing living things. I was seeing them as things. I was seeing people in categories. I had to develop a whole new awareness, an ability to respond and live in the present moment, so that I could be open to what is mine to do.  (McLaren, n.d.)

We are called to prayer and action that will make Present the love, compassion, and mercy of Christ in our response to be signs of Providence meeting the needs of the people.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/5?34 

John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?1 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). A Franciscan Perspective. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-franciscan-perspective/ 

Meditation on Acts 5:34-42. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/05/02/1265891/ 

Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Miraculous Sign of Jesus. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=may2 

Wirth, E. (2025, May 2). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 2, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/050225.html