Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) 2021

INTRO:

I was not the greatest at MATH in my elementary school days. I just didn’t get it??? My teachers were GREAT though. They would say whoever doesn’t understand the MATH you can stay after, and I will tutor you!

I took advantage of that and “passed” my MATH classes.
I DIDN’T GET IT & THEN I DID GET IT!

Some of the Jewish religious authorities didn’t get it either, not MATH, they didn’t get JESUS.

Here’s a “prophet”, a “Son of Man”, a “miracle-worker” a “gatherer of peoples”, a “teacher” – kind, caring and humble, challenging and changing the beliefs to which many held fast!

People were leaving behind those religious beliefs to take on the NEW message the NEW beliefs that Jesus was preaching. This threatened the authorities to their very core. They would say:

“Should we too change our beliefs and join this throng or HOLD FAST TO WHAT WE HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED?” (And try to get rid of him?)

Maybe we, as a CHRISTIAN don’t get it either???
Maybe we don’t get what Jesus is teaching about THE BREAD OF LIFE? I hope you do!

These last number of weekends JESUS is saying:
“Come and eat bread and fish. I will make sure you are satisfied.” He then multiplied the little food that was presented so thousands could eat!

Then he says: “Relax with me! Go to an out of the way place and THINK ABOUT what I am teaching you about the bread that I multiplied!”

LAST WEEKEND: He says: “I am the bread of life”, but today He says; “I am the LIVING BREAD come down from heaven
WHOEVER EATS THIS BREAD WILL LIVE FOREVER.

So, do you get it? Do you know what LIVING FOREVER means?
I will simply tell you it’s the GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL and it happens every day and every weekend for you and me!

Whoever comes to the altar to TASTE AND SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD and receives HOLY COMMUNION will LIVE FOREVER IN ETERNAL LIFE because it is at that moment of reception we are transformed, altered, changed, and renovated!!!!
INTO WHOM?
INTO JESUS CHRIST!
His REAL PRESENCE, not a symbol, not a sign, but
His BODY, SOUL, AND DIVINITY comes into you and me to guarantee that we will share ETERNAL LIFE, when He comes again.

CONCLUSION

When I receive HOLY COMMUNON, I get calm, grateful, and relaxed. My anxieties (and YES, I have some about some things), LIKE:
Crazy COVID and now a new strain of the virus
Riots
What’s happening in the world
The future of the church and its downward attendance shift

At my reception of Holy Communion, I hear God saying:
Jim, I GOT THIS! And I breathe, my anxieties comforted.

So, my brothers and sisters: GOD REMAINS GOD, no matter what! And I GET IT! I pray that you do as well.