In the 1st reading we meet Joshua, one of Israel’s outstanding military commanders. In victories he established his people in the promised land of Canaan. By now he is old and knows that his end is near. He calls the people together at Shehem in the heart of their new homeland and delivers a moving speech. He says nothing of his victories, but only tells the people of critical choice that they have to make: Joshua calls them to “choose today whom you wish to serve;” is it to be the Lord who brought them out of slavery in Egypt or the pagan Canaanite gods? Joshua says that he and his family are setting an example: “As for me and my House, we will serve the Lord.” The people reply: “We too will serve the Lord, for He is our God.” They choose God, they choose life.
The Gospel centers on a choice. Last week He spoke plainly about the Eucharist. It is all too much for some hearers. Jesus agrees: it isn’t easy to accept such a claim. But He doesn’t go back on what He’s said, not even when – and this is one of the saddest sentences in the Gospels – “many of His disciples left Him.” He takes back nothing. He goes further; He turns to the 12 and asks, “What about you, do you want to go away too?” Peter has a wonderful response: “Lord, who shall we go to? You have message of eternal life, and we believe.” They trust Him: they choose God; they choose eternal life.
There is a sense in which that Gospel story becomes a reality at Mass. THE BODY of CHRIST. All we see is a wafer of bread; that’s what it will taste and feel like. As we look at the host, we say AMEN. A tiny word, and full of meaning. It comes from a Hebrew root that suggests solidity and strength. We believe this is the body of Christ: the same Christ who once walked the roads of Palestine; the Christ who healed the sick and comforted rejected. The Eucharist is above all the sacrament of faith, and faith is more than simply saying, “I believe” it is total commitment to Jesus. Our AMEN is like Peter’s declaration: “Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life.” We are making a decisive choice…