Acts 9:1-20; Psalm 117; John 6: 52-59
Luke for the first time narrates the story of Paul’s meeting Jesus, the Lord, on the road. “Who are you, Lord?” Paul asks, in response to Christ’s asking: “Why do you persecute me?” Christ’s response will change Paul’s life forever: “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.” Thus is born Paul’s persistent and pervasive experience that we are the Body of Christ. We not only follow and obey our pioneer, but we live in Christ. “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Of course! Jesus has told us that “whoever eats me will live because of me.” “It is no longer I who live” is an intimacy so close that two are one flesh, one spirit.
How do you feel about such a surrender, that it is no longer you who live? This is what you agree to when you “eat” Jesus, when you say “Amen” to the offered Body of Christ. As Michel Quoist wrote decades ago in That Man Is You, if we cannot open our mouths to swallow our neighbor, we cannot open our mouths to swallow Christ in the Eucharist. (Actually, Paul said it first; check I Cor 11). Discuss your feelings, joys or hesitations with Jesus.
Open our hearts to receive the whole Christ, Holy Spirit. Open church leaders to receive the whole Christ and to welcome all who believe to receive the Eucharist.