Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“The bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” In today’s Gospel reading (John 6:44-51), we hear the final part of the discourse on the Bread of Life. Jesus tells his disciples that the Israelites were given manna from heaven when they escaped Egypt, yet they still died. The bread that Jesus offers us from God and provides eternal life. Jesus claims to be this bread of life. This is a claim which only God can make. Jesus says, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever.” There is no clearer statement about the power of Eucharist. If we partake in the Eucharist, our bodies are fortified with abundant life in Christ. The Eucharist is our source of spiritual energy. The Eucharist is truly God himself which sustains us not only now, but also in our eternal life. “Amen, Amen, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.” To deny the Eucharist is to denied the very supernatural power of God himself. To deny the Eucharist is to deny life eternal. When we accept the Eucharist, we not only accept the nourishment of the spirit, we accept the healing graces, the wisdom of God, and the courage to live in his image. To accept the Eucharist is to accept a personal and intimate relationship with Christ. When you receive the Eucharist, remember that you are truly receiving the “Bread of Life.” This is no symbolic representation, this is truly the Body of Christ. When you receive the Eucharist, say “Amen, Amen, I believe in the eternal life granted by the Bread of Life.”

A Simple Prayer

Lord, you are the living Bread of Life which nourishes my body.

You are the Eucharist which provides the healing powers to strengthen my soul.

You are the life which fires the eternal flame within my soul.

Give me the wisdom and courage to believe and defend the Eucharist.

Yours in Christ Michael Marcon