TOPIC:
THE GIFT OF THE EUCHARIST
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Homily, 1Cor.11:23-26/John 13:1-15 April 14, 2022
1) STORY
John was an orphan who was cared for by his uncle. At the age of ten, he began
to drink and fight. When he was 18, he was sent to prison where he began to
study the faces of other prisoners which became his great interest. Upon his
release from prison, he came across an expert who studied faces and was shocked
to be told that his face was full of evil; and if he did not change, he would
live no longer than one year. The master suggested that he become a monk. John
went to apply at a monastery, but he was refused entry. The kind monk told him
that monks lived a disciplined life but suggested that he go out to work, eat
only beans and grain, and reapply in one year. This is what John did. One year
later on his way back to the monastery to reapply, he came across the master
face reader who was amazed to see the change in John’s face and asked him how
he did this. John simply said that he worked for one year and ate only beans
and grains. The master said his eating carefully was the reason for John’s
great change. John lived to be 78 years old (1757-1834) while the average age
of a Japanese person at that time was 34 years. John had learned that food is
life and food is fate.
2) GOSPEL
A) JESUS GIVES US HIS BODY AND BLOOD. 1COR.11:23-26.
St.
Paul tells us that Jesus, during his final meal with his disciples, changed
bread and wine into his Body and Blood. Jesus told them that they were to do
what he did in remembrance of him. Jesus gave us this as our spiritual food to
keep us spiritually strong.
B) JESUS GIVES US THE EXAMPLE OF SERVING OTHERS. JOHN 13:1-15.
During
the last supper, Jesus did another amazing thing. He washed the feet of his
disciples. At first, they were unwilling for the master to wash their feet.
Jesus explained to them that it was essential to do this as this action of
serving others was for their instruction. They must serve others as Jesus was
serving them.
3) APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) RECEIVE THE EUCHARIST. Jesus loves us so much that he has given us a
precious gift of spiritual food, his Body and Blood. We can and should receive
it every time we participate at Mass. This spiritual food gives us the strength
we need to obey Christ’s command to love God, others, and ourselves.
B) SERVE OTHERS
Jesus
wants us to live a life of service as he did. This was the lesson he taught us
by washing his disciples’ feet. We do this in many ways.
i)
Be kind and respectful to others by our speech.
ii)
Visit or call on the sick.
iii)
Share some of your material blessings with the poor and hungry.
iv)
Listen to those who are troubled and need to share their pain and anger with
someone who is trustworthy.
v)
Bring lost sheep back to Jesus or introducing others to Jesus.
4) CONCLUSION
John
learned the importance of food. Jesus gives us spiritual food to keep us
spiritually strong. Strengthened by this spiritual food, we must serve others
as Jesus served us.
