Saint for the day: Caesar de Bus (1544-1607)

Scripture Readings for today’s Liturgy:

Acts 9:1-20   –   Psalm 117   –   John 6:53-59

“Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me” (today’s Holy Gospel according to John)

At first glance the two scripture readings appointed for today’s liturgy might not seem to have any easy connection for us to meditate on. But let me stir up some of the images that might make these Holy Scriptures come more alive for you.

In the first place, the story of Saul’s conversion takes place as he is on the way… in this case not on the way to preach but, rather to condemn. But he’s still out there – on the way – pointing out to all of us that God can use any means to accomplish the fulfillment of His goal to bring light into our world wrapped in darkness.

In the Gospel Scripture which continues the “Bread of Life” theme there was one word that caught my attention: “… so also, the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” Here Jesus is setting out a banquet where He is the main course and we are invited to come and sup with Him. No concept of our modern, fast food; eat on the run. We are to feed on Jesus. Like the sheep that are brought into green pastures, we are invited to take our time “munching” on the presence of God. In some sense, the image of our being called sheep implies that we ruminate on Jesus: taste and see how good the Lord is. Then bring it up again and get a second – and maybe even a third time – to know the full impact of God’s promise to feed us and be with us forever.

That’s why I harp on the fact that we need to take our time when the Holy Scriptures are read to us so that we gradually come to the fullest sense of the words that we hear. So don’t miss the opportunity to listen to the Word of God and then bring it up again to get a second taste. “Whoever does this will live forever? Amen!