On this Sunday we reflect on the readings of Corpus Christi or the Body Of Christ. All three of the readings are rich in the symbolism of eating, being fed, and how God has provided food for his people. They are so divinely intertwined that it is difficult to reflect on one reading without the other. 

In Deuteronomy 8:2-3 the text offers us the first references to the dual path between the physical and spiritual act of consuming food. God used Israel’s early experiences in the desert to show his children that both the physical and spiritual aspects of life are from God. That physical sustenance is closely linked to spiritual sustenance. With food or without food, could his people look to God and God’s graciousness to provide for his people. 

We are reminded that we must feed our spiritual life and feed it as we do for our physical body.  To be reminded that God has protected and guided his people by providing them water and manna from heaven to eat. 

In the second reading, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, we see again the references to food. Saint Paul says, “we all partake in the one loaf”. “The bread that we break”. 

In the Gospel reading, John 6:51-58 we see confusion from the Jewish people. Jesus is preaching to people who have many customs surrounding food. How it is prepared, what is clean, what is unclean. Jesus said to eat his body and drink his blood. (I suspect he wanted their complete attention). The people were confused. Jesus instead teaches that in trusting God he received sustenance even though he had not physically consumed food. That we do not live by bread alone. He did not fall victim to the devil’s tempting. The Jews in the wilderness demanded bread. The ate and ate but it only sustained them for the day. They were not truly satisfied. They would then be hungry tomorrow. Jesus denied himself bread and trusted in God. God sustained him. 

So here we are left to sort out how we view the physical and spiritual. We all know that eating provides our bodies with the necessary nourishment we need to sustain life. However, Jesus is reminding us to provide our spiritual life nourishment as well. How do we do this?  

We can go to a banquet, a restaurant, or sit down to eat. But, unless we actually do the work of making choices, some healthy some not, and eat the food, we will not be nourished by it. It won’t be processed in our bodies to sustain us. The same is true of our spiritual lives. Showing up isn’t enough. We must make choices, throw ourselves at life, do the work, sweat a little, make what Jesus teaches to nourish our spirit. Jesus is saying, “My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink”. Jesus life is eternal nourishment for us. He says I and the Father are one. “So also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me”. 

What do we consume for our spirit? What shapes us? What do we value? Why do we feel we unworthy? Why aren’t our prayers answered? Are we living a good life? Why do we feel this longing? Why do I feel something is always missing? Did I do enough? Say the right thing? Why do we not feel full? Satisfied? Why can’t we do better? Why don’t they listen? Why are we spiritually hungry?

The Good News is we don’t have to climb a mountain to prove ourselves worthy. We just start where we are. We start with who we are. Scars, dents, and bruises and all. We can try to use Jesus as our spiritual food. What Jesus teaches is available to us from the Father.  Love (giving and receiving). Faith (exercising it and growing faith).  Generosity, truthfulness, virtue, integrity, respect, compassion, forgiveness. Being hopeful when no one else is and we doubt ourselves. Prayer and a grateful spirit. A peaceful attitude. 

We can take part in the Eucharist to consume the risen Christ. We can take part in our church community. Jesus was drawing his life from the Father and we can draw our lives from Jesus and his church. Serving and helping each other in any way we can. Luckily we don’t need to come with anything but ourselves. All of the nourishment for the spirit is available. What Jesus is offering us is a more sustainable spiritual life. An opportunity to put into practice his loving kindness. 

Something for me to “chew on”.  I need to do more of that instead of reaching for things that don’t make me physically and spiritually stronger.