The Jordon River plunges as it rushes from the headwaters below Mount Hermon through the Sea of Galilee, 680 feet below sea level. This body is the lowest freshwater lake on earth. It is teaming with life. It was on the Sea of Galilee that Peter, Andrew, James, and John fished. It was there that Jesus calmed the sea and walked on water.
This is in contrast to the Dead Sea, the lowest body of water on earth, a landlocked salt lake about 1400 feet below sea level. The Jordon River empties into this sea. However, there is no flow on the southern side. The Sea of Galilee takes and gives. The Dead Sea only takes.
When receiving the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, we can either be like the Sea of Galilee or the Dead Sea.
We, as Catholics, believe that Jesus is present body, blood, soul and divinity in the consecrated bread and wine. When we receive Communion, we are receiving Christ. We are in communion with Him. This spiritual food enriches us, becomes part of our spirit if we are open to it. In essence, we become what we eat.
To believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist takes faith. It has been asked by some, "It looks and taste like bread and wine. How can you say that it is really Christ?"
At the Last Supper, Matthew says, "Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to His disciples, said, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant...'" (Matthew 26:26)
In the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus often says over and over that unless we eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, we will not have eternal life. The apostles says, "This is a hard saying." Jesus did not soften His statement, but instead repeated it several times. Jesus doesn't lie to anyone.
Communion is meant to unite us, not only to Christ present in the elements of bread and wine, but also to each other. We are the Body of Christ. To welcome Christ without welcoming everyone all in the Body of Christ is to be like the Dead Sea. We receive, but we do not share.
The multiplication of the loaves and the fish in today's Gospel is a lesson in sharing. Jesus receives the gift of a few fish and five barley loves (the bread of the poor) and multiplies these to feed more than five thousand.
Christ challenges us to offer the little we have - either time, treasure, or talent - and trust that God can multiply our gift. In John's account of the multiplication of the loaves and fish, it is a young boy who gave his lunch away, risking to go hungry. Here are a few examples of children who have seen a need and responded.
When a five-year old Hannah Taylor saw a homeless man eating out of a garbage can, she set out to cure the world of homelessness. Now 20 years old, Hanna's Lady Bug Foundation has raised more than three million dollars.
Craig Kielberger was 12 when he read about child labor and the 250 million child laborers in the world. He started Free the Children, an organization of children helping children.
When Alexandra "Alex" Scott was four, she set up a lemonade stand to raise funds for a cure for cancer, which she had. Although she died at age 8, her organization Kids with Cancer has raised over 100 million dollars for research.
Today, when we approach the altar to receive Christ, let's ask ourselves, "How can I share the gifts I have received? Where is there a need that moves my heart?" Don't worry about the size of your offering. It is God who multiplies. Be like the Sea of Galilee. Be filled with Christ's life and share it.
