Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Him whom comes to me I will not cast out.” In today’s Gospel Reading (John 6:35-40), we continue to the Bread of Life discourse from yesterday. Why did Jesus call himself the “Bread of Life?” The Jews understood that God promised them mana from heaven to sustain them on their journey to the promised land. Bread was the most basic staple of life. Bread is the food that feeds the world. We could not live without food for very long. Bread sustains us. But what is life? Jesus clearly wants us to have something more than just mere physical existence. The life Jesus refers to is connected with God, the author of life. Real life is a relationship with the living God, a relationship of trust, love, obedience, peace, and joy. This is what Jesus makes possible for us – a loving relationship with God who created us for love with him. If we separate ourselves from Jesus, no one else can provide that kind of life and relationship. Are you satisfied with mere physical existence or do you hunger for the abundant life which Jesus offers?

Jesus makes three claims: i) he offers himself as spiritual food which produces the very life of God within us; ii) he promises unbroken friendship and freedom from the fear of being forsaken or cut off from God; and iii) he offers us the hope of sharing in his resurrection. Those who accept Jesus as the “Bread of Life” will be raised up to immortal life with Him when he comes again on the last day. It is time for us to experience the resurrection. It is time for us to come to the table of our Lord and be nourished by the Eucharist.

A Simple Prayer

"Lord Jesus Christ, your death brought life and hope where there was once only despair and defeat.

Give me the unshakeable hope of everlasting life, the inexpressible joy of knowing your unfailing love,

and the unquestioning faith and obedience in doing the will of our Father in heaven."

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon