Only Jesus satisfies the body and soul
by Sister Jane Riha
During the third week of July, we witnessed the spectacular celebration of our belief in the presence of Jesus, Body and Blood, during the National Eucharist Congress held in Indiana. The Eucharist Congress reminded us once again of the significance of the Eucharistic celebration in our ordinary circumstances and parishes.
My religious congregation has this phrase in our charism statement: “we are rooted in the Cross, Word, and Eucharist.” Our rootedness comes from our deep belief in God’s presence in the Eucharist flowing from our Franciscan heritage and the depth of reverence for Eucharist of our founder Rev. Edward Daems, OSC.
Eucharist is about communion and community. The readings for this Sunday, especially the Gospel, focus on the nourishment we receive from bread. For many cultures, bread is a staple food. Many people love choices in bread and the smell of bread baking. We gather around a table to break bread and share conversation. Jesus tells us, “ I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
The world we live in has a hunger for peace, mercy, and justice. We witness media coverage of the hungry and homeless in war-torn countries as well as our own country. Let us pray to God to be persons who nourish others with food for the body as well as food for the soul. In this way, we create Eucharistic communities of compassion and unity.
I thought Sister's comments were right on the money!
Thank you for sharing!