Scripture Reflection, June 22, 2025, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Genesis 14:18-20 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Luke 9:11b-17

Today’s Liturgical Celebration, The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, has me thinking about food: nutrition, nourishment, sustenance.

I’m thinking about the significance of what I put into my mouth each day. Is it something that will give me the vitamins, minerals, protein, etc., I need in order to help me stay strong and healthy; or is too much of this food full of empty calories?

I am also thinking about the “food” I put into my brain - food in the form of information…information about such things as history, current events, art, mathematics and science. Is this information accurate? Is it verifiable? Do I trust the source?

AND I am thinking about the food I am feeding my soul, my spirit. Am I availing myself of the rich nourishment that only the Eucharist - Holy Communion - can provide? Am I paying attention to sacred scripture, with special emphasis on the teachings of Jesus Christ - as found in the gospels? Am I using these profound truths as a compass for my own beliefs and actions? These truths teach me about love, mercy, compassion and justice. They never advocate hate, fear, revenge or greed!

Two clever maxims serve to illustrate the point of today’s reflection. One comes from the world of computer technology. It is the acronym “G.I.G.O.” - Garbage In, Garbage Out. Whether we are referring to physical, mental or spiritual health, whatever we take in will have a huge effect. Non-nutritious food, false information, spiritual input that ignores, distorts or contradicts the message of Christ - any of these things can and will damage our bodies, our minds or our souls. And our resulting actions will reflect that damage by affecting our world - negatively.

Each one of us is a special gift from God to the world; a gift designed to make it a better place - more loving, more just, and more inclined to give honor and glory to God. May we each strive to take care of ourselves in body, mind and spirit, so that we will all be able to contribute to making this a better world today and for succeeding generations.

Parting thought: “You are what you eat!”

by: Bill Miller