“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” – John 6:56

       The nature of my work and ministry in our community requires me to be online all the time. This is why I “love” my mobile phone. Aside from calls and texts, it allows me to organize my schedule, present our company’s mobile applications, check my e-mails, keep in touch with my contacts, and be updated with current events. I also use my phone as a GPS device, Bible, voice recorder for interviews, camera and a lot more. The mobile phone is one powerful device that I need.

       One day, I had a business trip abroad. I realized that my phone had no roaming partner. So I didn’t have any signal! This meant that I couldn’t use any feature of the phone that required online connection. That meant no calls, texts, email, online calendar, social network, GPS, etc. My once powerful phone was reduced to a simple camera.

       It’s the same scenario with our Christian life. We need to stay connected to Jesus so we can accomplish the mission that He has given us. One way of remaining with Him is to take His Body and Blood as often as possible.

       Truly, without Jesus, we are ordinary. But with Jesus, we are extraordinary! Alvin Fabella (alvinfabella@yahoo.com)

Reflection: “If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.” (St. Maximilian Kolbe)

Lord, I thank You for Your Body and Blood. By its grace I am able to overcome what is impossible for my strength alone. Amen.

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest and martyr, pray for us.

11^ST READING

Jesus challenges Saul about his reason for persecuting those who follow the new way of faith. Paul has no answer for Jesus. He is temporarily blinded, as a symbol of his life until this moment. Once he received the gift of faith and the commission to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, he received his sight back.

1 Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. 9 For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. 10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel, 16 and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” 17 So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, 19 and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength. He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

R: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! (R) 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever. (R)

These words of Jesus should be understood in both the literal and sacramental sense. John 6 provides an alternative text for the Last Supper that is absent from his account of Jesus’ Passion. John wants to situate the Eucharist at a central and mundane level of our existence. The Eucharist, as characterized by a meal, is part of our daily lives. This sacrificial commemoration is both real and shrouded in the mystery of God’s work that we cannot see but can experience.

Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood, remains in me and I in him, says the Lord.

52 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” 53 Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. 54 Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. 55 For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. 57 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. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” 59 These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

think: The words of Jesus should be understood in both the literal and sacramental sense.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Numbers 28-30

THE ANANIAS FACTOR

Saul was “breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord.” I can identify with Saul. I used to be very impatient. I was at times too bullheaded about my plans and passionate about what I cared for — to a fault.

       But God has mysterious ways of getting us back to our better senses. The Lord sent me what could be equivalent to Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.” I suffered. I swallowed my pride. I licked my wounds. And ever so gradually (though not completely yet), I recovered my inner serenity and peace.

       I could not have done it without the help of others. Real friends came to my side. They did not always agree with me but they listened to me. They walked side by side with me. Like Paul, I had my Damascus moment.

     I don’t know who were traveling with Saul at that time. All I can surmise is that they were good and helpful people. They did not leave the blinded Saul-soon-to-be-Paul in the lurch. “They led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.”

       I dedicate today’s reflection to all who do the thankless job of guiding, helping, walking with, and showing people the way towards any form of enlightenment. These are the silent heroes: teachers, mentors, counselors and spiritual guides. They lead people by the hand and bring them to some place that’s safe and secure.

       I dedicate today, too, to all those who believed enough in me to trust and approve of me. Like Ananias, they may have doubted: “I’ve heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done...” But God’s grace and mercy shone through people who put on flesh to His compassion. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTION: Who is your Ananias?

Lord, thank You for sending me people who have shown me Your compassion and mercy.