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."

How often do we ask the question, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you?” The Israelites tell Jesus that their ancestors were given a sign from Moses, why can’t they have a sign.  You can almost hear them saying, “But Jesus, that’s not fair that they get a sign and we don’t.”  It’s obvious from Jesus’ reply that they do not understand the ancient scripture.  It was not Moses that gave them the bread, but God himself that provided the bread.  Jesus replies to them saying, “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.” I would dare to say that we all hunger for signs from our Father in heaven so that we can believe? Do we not hunger for the bread of life? The Jews believed that when the Messiah returned he would bring with him the manna from heaven that was hidden in the desert by Jeremiah. And this is exactly what happened.  Jesus declares that He is the manna from heaven; the bread of life for which they are waiting. The “bread of life” is the revelation that God the Father sent Jesus the Son as the ultimate sign. This was Jesus’ first revelation to the Eucharist meal 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 super abundant meal which satisfies all our spiritual needs and provides strength for us to go out into the world to proclaim the Word of God.  This is the abundant gift from God which never ends.  It is eternal like God himself.  We should always long for the blessed bread of life, the manna from heaven who came to us as the Word made Flesh. It should be the focus of our desires and forever be in our hearts. What a most beautiful and gracious sign that God has given us. The Eucharist is none other than the very life of God. Do you hunger for the bread of life?  This is why the Eucharistic meal is both the source of our Catholic faith and the summit of all that is important to us Christians.

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