“THIS IS MY BODY WHICH IS FOR YOU” (1 Cor 11:24)

⏰Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week of Ordinary Time 2 (17 Sept. 2018)

📑1 Cor 11:17-26, 33; Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17 (R. 1 Cor 11:26b); Luke 7:1-10

My dear, this is the beginning of a new working week and we are being introduced into the unconditional love of God which is best exemplified in the Holy Eucharist. There, Jesus offers himself to us as food for our body and soul. By participation in the Eucharist, we are made one with Christ, and so share in the inner life of the Blessed Trinity.

We could not have been able to share worthily in that celebration if we do not have faith in it. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews noted that faith is the guarantee of the things we hope for, and the certainty of the things that we do not see (Heb 11:1).

The centurion won the admiration of Jesus because of his great level of faith. Not only did he obtain the favour he needed of Jesus, his declaration (cf. Luke 7:6) is the essential part of the Mass, where we declare our faith in the Eucharistic presence.

So, as you set out to go about your duties today, remember that Jesus is offering you his Body to satisfy your spiritual and material hunger. You only need to follow the footsteps of the centurion and believe even when you cannot pragmatically feel those satisfaction around you.

As you do so, remember that the Lord demands that you await the satisfaction in righteousness. The early Christians of the Church in Corinth were gathering to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. But instead of being a celebration of love for them, they got the condemnation of Paul because they are doing the complete opposite of the Lord’s command.

Are you praying for God’s favour this week? Do you have faith that Jesus is out to satisfy your hunger? Does your way of life reflect the love of God and neighbour?

May God give us the grace to understand what he demands of us especially as people of faith, who trust in his Providence. And as we put all our hope in him, may he grant us reasons for testimonies in the end through Christ our Lord. Amen

Have a lovely week ahead. Peace be with you.