Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

"I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

 

Gospel Reading: John 6:30-35

 

The crowd said to Jesus: "What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:  He gave them bread from heaven to eat." So Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." So they said to Jesus, "Sir, give us this bread always."  Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, the Israelites want a sign so that they may believe that He is the Son of God. They tell Jesus that their ancestors were given a sign from Moses in the manna which came from heaven.  Jesus replies, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Do we not all hunger for signs from God so that we can believe? Do we not hunger for the bread of life? The Jews believed that when the Messiah would come, he would return with the manna from heaven that was hidden in the desert by Jeremiah. But Jesus claims that He is the manna from heaven; the bread of life that they are waiting for. The “bread of life” is the revelation that God sent Jesus as the sign. This was Christ’s first revelation of the Eucharist which feeds and nourishes our heart and soul. He who comes to the bread of life, shall not hunger. He who partakes of the Eucharistic meal will find eternal life. This is why the Eucharist is so important. We do not take part in some symbolic representation of the Eucharist, but actually participate in the continuing celebration of the “bread of life.” This is the abundant gift from God which never ends.  We should always long for the blessed bread of life. It should be the focus of our desires. It should be forever in our hearts. What a most beautiful and gracious sign God has given us. The Eucharist is none other than the very life of God. Do you hunger for the bread of life?

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord God, You are the bread of life.

Your are the source of eternal salvation.

May I desire you every day of my life.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon