Monday, 10^th February – Monday of week 5 of the year

Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin

Reflection: Mark 6: 53-56

DO YOU RECOGNISE HIM?

As Catholics, we have the great privilege of the continuous presence of Jesus in His bodily form. All Christians believe in the omnipresence of Jesus, but of course, in spirit. However, as Catholics we know, believe and affirm that Christ is truly and really present in His body, blood, soul and divinity in the Holy Eucharist. Do you and I, recognize Jesus in the Eucharist each time we attend Mass or a Eucharistic exposition? Do you realize that the same Jesus who walked the streets of this earth over 2000 years ago is still very much with us in a profound manner?

The people of Gennesaret recognized Jesus as He came into their territory. This resulted in countless testimonies (Mark 6:56). In contrast, in Mark 6: 1-6, Jesus visited Nazareth, His hometown and was rejected by them. They did not believe Him because of their familiarity with Him. What was the  implication? “And He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands upon a few sick people and healed them…”(Mark 6: 5-6). Hence, while recognizing Jesus brought great deliverance to Gennesaret, familiarity with Him at Nazareth bred contempt, leading to disbelief.

As simple as the Eucharist looks, it is really Jesus. The grace, transformation and healing that this Sacrament brings is ours only if we recognize Him. Not recognizing Jesus brings judgment upon the individual. “For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you a weak and ill and some have died” (1Corinthians 11:29-30).

Dear friend, receive the Eucharist in faith, having examined yourself; and let Christ’s presence within you transform you as it did at Gennesaret.

PRAYER: My Lord Jesus, thank You for staying with us. Please grant me the faith to receive you in the Eucharist and be transformed by You. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 216 – In what way is Christ there when the Eucharist is celebrated?

Christ is mysteriously but really present in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. As often as the Church fulfills Jesus’ command, “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor 11:24), breaks the bread and offers the chalice, the same thing takes place today that happened then: Christ truly gives himself for us, and we truly gain a share in him…

HIDE A TREASURE: “He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood lives in me and I in him” John 6: 56 CCB

Readings for today: 1 Kings 8: 1-7, 9-13; Psalm 132: 6-10; Mark 6: 53-56