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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, June 26, 2011
By Jeff Hensley
Catholic News Service
June 26, 2011, Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Cycle A Readings:
1) Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a
Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20
2) 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Gospel: John 6:51-58
Blessed Teresa of Kolkata began every day before dawn before the Blessed Sacrament, drawing from the presence of Jesus the strength she needed to serve the poor. An hour of contemplation to fuel her works of charity. An hour of contemplation concentrating on Jesus' thirst for the souls and the companionship of those he came to redeem.
It seems that everyone who saw her -- enfleshing the Christ she adored and received as body and blood -- was affected by her.
Malcolm Muggeridge, in his book "Something Beautiful for God," recalled filming the television special (bearing the same title) on her life and ministry among the destitute and dying in Kolkata. As they walked a darkened stairway with inadequate light, he continued his interview despite the fact that he believed it would never be usable.
To his great surprise, when he saw the film after it was processed, not only was there adequate light to use that particular piece of the interview, but also there appeared a special glow around Mother Teresa.
When I was a freshman in college, just after the Second Vatican Council, I would occasionally see young women on campus who were dressed simply, whose faces seemed to almost shine. Somehow, I knew they were nuns taking classes at the University of Texas at Arlington.
I hope we've all known such people: people for whom Jesus' pronouncement in today's Gospel was not a stumbling block but a stepping stone, people who took him at his word, even as they realized the mystery of his words, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."
QUESTIONS:
Have you known people whose holiness has inspired you to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus? Where might you carry the light of Christ to others, especially those in need?
SCRIPTURE TO ILLUSTRATE:
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day" (John 6:54).
END
Copyright © 2011 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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