20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Proverbs 9: 1-6 Ephesians 5: 15-20 John 6:51-58
Theme: The Power in the Eucharist
Today is the twentieth Sunday in ordinary time, Year B. Our liturgy for today, points out the fact that as many that have faith and believe in the Eucharist, will experience the blessings and love of God. There is power in the Eucharist, and all those who partake in it will have life in abundance through its reception. However, we must receive it worthily, not unworthily. This is because it is like a two-edged sword, when it is received worthily it brings us life in abundance and when it is received unworthily it brings death. Thus, we are all encouraged to do our best to always receive it worthily.
Dear friends in Christ, we are all encouraged to live like children of God and wise people, so that the opportunities and privileges that we enjoy as communicants, and as Catholics will not be useless but rather serve as a platform through which we can make heaven at the end of time. The more we live out the gospel imperatives the more it becomes easier for us to attain salvation, as partakers of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. As children of God, we are supposed to live a life that is always pleasing to God and will help us to be worthy ambassadors of Christ.
We have what it takes to be true children of God. What we must do, is to resolve to do what is pleasing to God and beg for God’s grace to live it out in our daily lives. The more we strive to appreciate the goodness of God in our lives the better Christians and children of God we will become. Regular self-evaluation will help us to remain focused and on the right path. This is very important, taking into consideration the saying that you are what you eat; it is a call to holiness of life. We must make honest and sincere effort to stay away from sin and live a good life.
Looking at today’s gospel reading, it reminds me of a discussion I had with a youth during a parish retreat some years ago. His argument was that Jesus says whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will have eternal life and he will raise him up on the last day. My question to him was is the reception of the body and blood of Christ an automatic ticket to eternal life? The answer is both yes and no! It is yes, if we live a good and holy life and receive Christ worthily. It is no, when we receive Christ unworthily. That is why we must play our own role by living a life that is always pleasing to God.
That is why the assertion of St. Paul in today’s second reading is very important, if we truly want to attain heaven and always receive the Eucharist worthily. We must be conscious of our way of lives and always give God a chance in our lives. That way, we will be walking according to the mind of God and making our way to life eternal. May God grant us the graces we need to live like true children of God, so that our participation at the Eucharistic table will not be in vain. Peace be with you.