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 6:35-40

 

Jesus said to the crowds, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen me, you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day."

 

In today’s Gospel Reading, we continue the Bread of Life discourse from yesterday. Why did Jesus call himself the “Bread of Life?” The Jews understood that God promised them manna from heaven to sustain them on their journey to the promised land. Bread was the most basic staple of life. Even today, bread and grain are the food that feeds the world. We cannot 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.  Everyone is invited to the table.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, you are the Bread of Life which nourishes our body and guides us to the heavenly gate.

You are the staple which gives us hope and a longing desire to find God and do his will.

Bless our lives with your love and mercy that we may share the Bread of Life with others.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon