We Are What We Eat

The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

June 22, 2014

John 6:51-58

“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. (John 6:55)”

“We are what we eat.” The maxim seems outdated, but still holds water. What we eat shows forth various dimensions of our humanity: health, social status and even relationship. Firstly, things that enter our mouth may not defile us, but it will all surely affect our health. To devour a large sum of saturated-cholesterol meals might lead into sudden death. Yet, having a balance and nutritious diet, may add some years into our life.  

Secondly, food we consume will tell us one’s social status. Fine dining in world-class restaurant once a week shows that you have more than enough in your pocket. But, if we can only afford one descent meal a day, then we must admit our poverty. Once, a brother was staying with a family living in the slum area of Manila. He would never forget the meaning of poverty when he ate together with them. Although this family has only one small pack of instant noodles with a lot of water soup as their meal, cooked by the mother of five children, he still got a share to eat with the family.

Lastly, food also bring to the fore how we relate with others. In the Indonesian Catholic tradition, part of it is for the faithful, to cook daily meals for their parish priests. Since we want to show our respect and honor, we, Asians, come up with the best delicacy and as an Asian, my family prepared the best meal for our parish priest. In the Philippines, during fiestas, people come up with their best cuisines and invite their close relatives and friends to enjoy the fiesta together. Our Master of the Order, Fr. Bruno Cadoré, OP is a Frenchman and being a very disciplined man, he would maintain his diet. When he visited the Philippines, he would take very little from the abundant food prepared for him; and a Filipino Dominican would gently remind him that one of the best yet simple ways to show respect to his host is by enjoying the food they prepare. He listened to his brother, and took another small piece into his plate!

Food, though often taken for granted, is one of the indispensable things in life. It touches numerous aspects of our humanity and they reveal who we are and how we relate with others, and Jesus knew this by heart. He wanted to be part of lives’ daily essentials, which is the very thing that gives us life. The ingenuity of Christ came to life when He declared that His body is truly food and His blood is truly drink. Then, through the Eucharist, God enters practically all dimensions of our life. Just like other food, the spiritual substance is also assimilated perfectly to our body.  He touches our bodies and become one with our sickness and health. He is poor with the poor and rich with the rich, and unites the two in His body. He is accepted and loved yet, at times, taken for granted, rejected and betrayed. He is with a cheerful boy who just received his first communion and He is dying with a terminally ill patient who just took the viaticum. He rejoiced in a mother who gave birth to her beautiful daughter, yet weeps with a wife whose husband just passed away.

Jesus in the Eucharist is the most beautiful reality in our lives and the deepest wisdom of God in utmost simplicity. Let us always rejoice and be thankful because through the Eucharist, God is in us in every aspect of our lives.

    Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP