John 6: 51-58

 

Food plays an important part in the Gospels. It makes its presence throughout Jesus’ ministry – it shows up in his miracles; The miracle of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes that were multiplied to feed over 5,000 people; At Cana, when Jesus changed the water into wine. 

 

Food had an evangelizing effect whenever Jesus sat down to dine with prostitutes and tax collectors, with sinners, he ate at the homes of marginalized, with the families of those He healed (like the young girl Tabitha who He brought back to life), and He always was up on eating with those who were poor and working class, as well as those who were wealthy, learned and scholarly.

  

Food was a good way of gathering with friends, family and just people in general; Jesus took his meals with his disciples. He celebrated Passover and the Jewish holidays, weddings with his friends and family eating and drinking. He asks Zaccheus to come down from the tree because he wanted to dine at his home; It was during a dinner at Lazarus’ home, that Jesus helps Martha understand her sister Mary’s actions. 

 

After His resurrection Jesus appears on the beach shore and John’s Gospel tells us he is roasting a fish for His friends as they run to Him from the boat. 

Food is used to make a point in Jesus’ stories (His parables) 

Celebrating the return of the Prodigal Son by “roasting the fatten calf”, or teaching about the leaven of the Pharisees, or the batch of yeast that the woman kneaded, or the teaching on the salt that loses its flavor…

 

Food for the body was an important part of my Uncle Joe’s makeup. He understood it, he prepared it and he cooked it (really well – for those of us that were on the receiving end of it) – He worked his way from the humility of washing dishes to becoming an Executive Chief for Citibank Corporation – ( the American dream) he made a living doing it - supported his family with it - but also used his gifts to share with others - whenever we gathered as family.  He was always around doing for others – doing the cooking – helping out – offering his knowledge and his skills to get it down right. 

(He saved many a barbeque within our family ….. and even recently had Joanne send the men in the family - a video on how to carve a turkey.) 

 

The Gospel passage that I proclaimed talks about food - the Living Bread – as opposed to the bread that we use to just nourish our bodies. 

 

Jesus said to those around Him - and to us today: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world…Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him… 

 

God never left Joseph. He was always at his side. He was always moving in and through his story. Joseph was faithful at the table of the Lord. Joseph ate this bread - The Eucharist was the center of his spiritual journey. It keep him going in the good times, as well as in the difficult times…He was deeply rooted in his faith and He understood the importance this food had in keeping his spiritual wellness. 

 

Aunt Julia and Uncle Joe drew their strength from the Eucharist, daily mass and their prayer life. They lived their faith together - connected to Jesus. They were blessed with a long life – and they used their life, and what they accumulated through it - sharing those gifts by helping others. Their mission was about family. Being there – being available when you need them.

 

Uncle Joe would be there to help you move, be available to help with the painting of your house…He carved Christmas ornaments for everyone to put on their trees…When my dad died, he was the one who came to me and let me know that if I needed him - he would be there for me…and I will never forget him for that. 

 

For the past few years there was a noticeable transformation as Joseph became more vulnerable, especially in his last few months. We talked about it: the difficulties of adjusting to having others do for him, when he had spent his life doing for others… coming to terms with being led through his illness to a place he didn’t want to go.

The mystery of his long life and his suffering didn’t make sense to him. He couldn’t get a grip on it. We talked about his body shutting down and the dying process. He put his faith in God, and followed the path where he was being led. 

 

Last Sunday we gathered as a family to celebrate Uncle Joe’s 91st Birthday at Providence Rest, an event that he was looking forward to all week. I believe that was his goal - that keep him alive a little longer.

 

As I watched my uncle - I couldn’t help but think if he was now experiencing a similar struggle in his heart - that Jesus also underwent…Spending his last supper with his family and friends, those he loved… And as much as it was a celebration, there was a sadness in his eyes - that I believe that only He, and Jesus, could fully understand. The sadness of knowing that soon he would be embarking on his final journey. A journey that would take him to his final passion, death and resurrection...he had shared his last meal of love with us…his last time together  - seeing us gathered to celebrate his life with us. 

 

It seemed as if time stopped - so he could take in - and absorb the moment. I think he wanted to hold onto the faces and the memories that surrounded him.

 

There was nothing that he could take with him on this final journey – but the love that he put into the relationships that God blessed him with. The love of his wife, Julia, who he had spent over 64 years sharing her life with him, loving him and caring for him…the love of his daughter, Joanne, who for the past number of years has become the caregiver and advocate for both mom and dad; the love of his family who he always stayed connected to, and the friends who blessed his life.

 

Love was the final gift shared, and love was the final gift given back to him. 

 

 

A life worth living…echoing the words from Jesus’ Parable of the Talents: 

“Well done, my good and faithful servant, since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come share your master’s joy.”

 

Joseph - May you rest peace in the arms of Jesus now, and until we meet again.

 

We love you.