The Cup of Blessing

In today's first reading, 1 Cor 10: 14-22,, Paul asks us: "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the Blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the Body of
Christ? Because the loaf of bread," Paul states, "is one, we, though many, are one Body, for we all partake of the one loaf."

The bread that we break at a Catholic Liturgy is Jesus' body broken for us on the cross.  The blood that we drink is Jesus' Blood poured out for us on Calvary.  In our participation in the Eucharist, Jesus becomes one with each of us and we become one with one another: one Body of Christ, one Body in Christ. It is the Risen Lord who, in the Eucharist,  visits us, hidden in the consecrated bread and wine. The bread and the wine before consecration is not bread and wine after the consecration. It is the Risen Christ who is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit--one God, three divine persons; one God, undivided unity and Trinity.  As Jesus, the Father and the Spirit are one with each other, so, too we are to become one with others.  We are to live with others as Jesus lives with and in the Father and the Spirit, giving, loving, creating the good in all, for all and through all in God's name and reconciling all to His Father through His death and resurrection.

In what ways do I strive for unity with those with whom I live and work and pray? In what ways to I give, love, and create the good in all, for all and through all in God's name? And in what ways am I divisive?  And, if divisive, what do I do to bring about reconciliation?

I am the vine; you are the branches (John 15: 5)

“I am the vine and my Father is the vine grower” (John 15: 1-8).  As the vine grower, God cuts off dead branches—that in us that is not bearing fruit or that which impedes our growth in love, truth, compassion, forgiveness of self and others  and interior freedom. God also prunes “branches” that would interfere with the ability within us to function at our highest human potential, becoming one with Christ, being transformed by Christ in all that we do and say, so that we genuinely follow Christ’s  way of relating to those who are downtrodden, oppressed, treated unjustly and/or are scorned by society for any reason.    We are “pruned” so that we become the men and women God intends us to become, that is, persons through whom God’s glory shines, God’s wisdom is known, and God’s love is nurtured.