20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B - 16/8/2015 - Gospel: Jn 6:51-59
Taboo language
Every culture has some words in it which we use to release anger or frustration and these words often are not well accepted to speak in private or public. Surprisingly these taboo words often relate to a part of our physical body. Our physical body is not taboo in itself but when it dissects into different parts then the certain parts become taboo when we use it to express our feelings. Who invented them and how it came into being were not known for many and yet most of us use them on the occasion when we are unhappy about something. It is an unusual idea to use the language to talk about eating one's flesh and drinking blood. Many would be shocked to hear what Jesus said even though what he said came from his heart and he was genuine about his love for us.
I tell you most solemnly, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drinks His blood, you will not have life in you. Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my bold lives in me and I live in him. Jn 6,53?
It is necessary to express our feelings whether we are happy or not but the way to express one's feelings makes us different since it reveals to others our true characters. The true self is made known when we express our feelings. There are numerous occasions when Jesus expresses his feelings but when he talks about feeding us with His Body and Blood Jesus expresses more than His feelings but His utmost love for those who love Him. His language is not taboo but the language of sacrificial love. True love is not as simple as a feeling of affection but it is self giving. His language becomes taboo for those who misinterpret his love and they were outraged because they don't have faith or have lack of faith in Jesus. For those who have strong faith in Jesus we understand that it is an act of self giving and unconditional sacrifice for those whom Jesus loves. It is an expression to give the whole person. Flesh and blood is the totality symbol of life giving, the whole person- no reservation but give everything. It is an invitation to unite us with God and that our life is incorporated into the life of God and that we live in God and God is in us. St Paul told us with God on our side who can be against us because the Spirit of God sets us free. Rm 8,31
Sin and death have no more power over us. We are free because God has conquered over sin and death. The life that God gives has no end. It is the eternal life to live with God forever since we draw life from the living God. Every time we come to the Eucharist we hope to experience the salvation that God has won for us.
I tell you most solemnly, if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drinks His blood, you will not have life in you. Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my bold lives in me and I live in him. Jn 6,53?
It is necessary to express our feelings whether we are happy or not but the way to express one's feelings makes us different since it reveals to others our true characters. The true self is made known when we express our feelings. There are numerous occasions when Jesus expresses his feelings but when he talks about feeding us with His Body and Blood Jesus expresses more than His feelings but His utmost love for those who love Him. His language is not taboo but the language of sacrificial love. True love is not as simple as a feeling of affection but it is self giving. His language becomes taboo for those who misinterpret his love and they were outraged because they don't have faith or have lack of faith in Jesus. For those who have strong faith in Jesus we understand that it is an act of self giving and unconditional sacrifice for those whom Jesus loves. It is an expression to give the whole person. Flesh and blood is the totality symbol of life giving, the whole person- no reservation but give everything. It is an invitation to unite us with God and that our life is incorporated into the life of God and that we live in God and God is in us. St Paul told us with God on our side who can be against us because the Spirit of God sets us free. Rm 8,31
Sin and death have no more power over us. We are free because God has conquered over sin and death. The life that God gives has no end. It is the eternal life to live with God forever since we draw life from the living God. Every time we come to the Eucharist we hope to experience the salvation that God has won for us.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia