Becoming What We Eat

Gospel: John 6: 44-51

A curious double-standard apologetic has arisen in the modern church.  On the one hand, Christians will boast of the privilege of membership in the church and participation in the Lord's table, which are indeed blessed invitations to communion with God.  Through participation in them, it is intended that we become more like the Lord in all we do and undertake in life.  Like the wheat and vine planted in the earth and rising to new life, so participation in the Lord's table has a similar promise for our mortal bodies.

However, a second apologetic emerges.  Some Christians will defend the Church against all the abuse issues by arguing that instances of clergy abuse are no different in number and scope to other elements of society.  This defense suggests Christians are like everyone else, so people should get off our backs about abuse.  If this argument is to be believed, then the first argument has no meaning.  The life of Jesus and participation in communion with him has no difference in anyone's life.  

The greatest part of the abuse scandal is the coverup and defense of it in this manner, for it negates every belief about Jesus' mission and ministry in the world.  It negates belief in the Eucharistic table and any hope of becoming more like the Lord in our life.  If we cannot and will not repent of abuse and our defense of it, if we are content with being like everyone else in this regard or in any other regard, then Christ has no meaning whatever.