Homily - Year C, The Body and Blood of Christ (June 19, 2022)

 

TOPIC: C, THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

C. THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST HOMILY, LUKE 9:11-17 JUNE 19, 2022

 

1. STORY

John was a popular teacher who at Christmas received gifts from his students. Each Christmas when he received a gift of a long thin box, he knew it was a tie. He would put it into a drawer without opening it. Over the years, he accumulated many such boxes. One day when he was preparing to attend a wedding, he took out one of the gifts looking for a tie to wear. When he opened one of the boxes, he was shocked to find not a tie but a very valuable watch. What looked like an ordinary tie box turned out to be something very special. Jesus ate many ordinary meals with people. However, there was one meal that was not ordinary, the Last Supper, when he changed bread and wine into his Body and Blood.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 9:11-17

A) A LARGE CROWD OF HUNGRY PEOPLE.

i) People enjoyed listening to Jesus preach and receiving his help.

ii) One such day a large crowd had been with Jesus all day and in the evening they were hungry.

iii) As they were in a deserted place, it would be difficult for them to buy food.

iv) The disciples asked Jesus to send them away so that they could find food for themselves.

 

B) JESUS FEEDS THE HUNGRY PEOPLE. 

i) Jesus asked if there was any food available.

ii) There were five loaves and two fish at hand.

iii) After Jesus blessed this food, he told the disciples to pass out the food.

iv) There were enough food to feed over 5,000 people with 12 baskets of food left over.

v) Jesus had the power to multiply bread. 

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A) TODAY THERE ARE MANY HUNGRY PEOPLE.

i) Today there are many physically and spiritually hungry people.

ii) Spiritually hungry people are unhappy, not at peace, not sure of the purpose of life, and do not have the strength to change for the better.

iii) Jesus has the power to spiritually feed these people. 

 

B) THE EUCHARIST, THE BREAD OF LIFE.

i) Just as Jesus had the power to multiply bread, he had the power to change bread and wine into his Body and Blood.

ii) He gave this power to priests through the Church.

iii) How blessed we are being able to receive this wonderful gift at Mass.

We should take every effort to receive the Eucharist at each Mass we attend. Through this gift, Jesus gives us strength to live a happy and peaceful life.

 

4. CONCLUSION

i) John was very surprised, when looking for a tie, he found a valuable watch. Jesus ate many ordinary meals. However, there was one very special meal, the Last Supper, when he changed bread and wine into the Body and Blood.

ii) Jesus multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish making it possible to feed over 5,000 people.

iii) Through the Eucharist, Jesus gives us spiritual strength to be happy and at peace. We thank Jesus for this precious gift of spiritual food. We should receive the Eucharist at every Mass we attend.