08/25/2024
Lectionary Readings: Josh. 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Ps. 34; Eph. 5:21-32; John 6:60-69
Theme: Christ our Viaticum, Food for our Journey.
I have often heard it said that in every culture the telling of stories and myths are both very essential and imperative to the wellbeing and survival of that culture. I think it is equally true to sharing, witnessing, living, and passing on our Christian faith and tradition. There is a need for the telling and retelling of stories and also repetition within the telling of the stories. In the book of the prophet Joel we read: “The word of the Lord that came to Joel son of Penuel….Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation” (Joel 1:1-3).
The Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday is psalm 34, with its response “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord”. This is the third consecutive Sunday where this psalm has been used with the same response. Why? Repetition in the Bible serves important purposes. One is to emphasize the importance of a person, theme or event. Repetition also adds credibility and allows different angles and perspectives in searching for understanding. Repetition highlights God’s power and reinforces critical messages.
 I have noticed that, at wedding ceremonies, psalm 34 is one of the most favored psalms used and recommended. Most of the time, the response is “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord”. I often say, and in fact most of the time in my homily I convey the same message, that we “taste and see the goodness of Lord” in the love of the woman and the man. Their love is the mirror of the love of God for us.
The responsorial psalm holds several significant roles in a wedding ceremony. It certainly enhances the sacredness of the occasion by providing a moment of solemnity and prayer. As the couple stand in front of the altar pronouncing their vows, the responsorial psalm creates a peaceful backdrop inviting reflection on the spiritual dimension of their commitment.
The biblical meaning of the marriage vows includes the expressing by the couple of their love for, and loyalty and devotion to each other. St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians expresses the same message, of the couple loving each other as Christ loved the church. (Eph 5:25). Christ will be their Viaticum, providing sustenance and food for their journey throughout their marriage life.
Our gospel reading for this year B, is from St. Mark but for the last five Sundays, we have been reading from chapter 6 of the gospel of St. John. Chapter 6 of John is the discourse and the long instruction of Jesus, “I am the bread that came down from heaven, he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him (Jn 6:56).
Every Sunday we come together to celebrate this ritual, this sacred ritual of the Eucharist. We come together as the wider community to listen to the sacred text, the wisdom of God, personified in the Liturgy of the Word. After being fed with the Word of God, we partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus as our Viaticum and food for our journey.
For Reflection and Discussion: 1. How do we experience “Taste and see the goodness of Lord” in our parents and family; and the Eucharist, as our viaticum on our journey?
Bibliography: Patrick J. Sheridan. St. Joseph Sunday Missal (New Jersey: 2011)
This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by Aliki Langi, Sydney, Bat Kol Alumnus: 2005, 2018
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