The Bread of Life

    

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

11 August 2024

 

First Reading: 1Kgs 19:4-8

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Eph 4:30—5:2

Gospel: Jn 6:41-51

 

Reflection

By: Theresa B. Manio

 

Today’s Gospel is a reiteration of what God told us last Sunday. He once again gives more emphasis on the value of the bread and wine that we are partaking in the Holy Eucharist, more so, how that Bread alone and a profound relationship with Jesus nourishes our Spirit. Jesus begins by declaring, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." To the listeners of His time, this was a controversial statement. They murmured, questioning how He could claim such a divine origin, knowing His earthly parents. Yet, as the reading continues, Jesus challenges their understanding of spiritual reality versus physical reality.

The idea of Jesus as the "bread of life" resonates deeply with me. Bread is a basic, daily necessity—something we rely on for physical sustenance. Similarly, Jesus positions Himself as essential for our spiritual well-being. Just as we cannot live without bread, we cannot thrive spiritually without the sustenance He provides. This comparison makes me ponder my own spiritual hunger.

It is easy to believe in Jesus and His teaching when things are going well with my life. My spirits are high to worship and give thanks but when circumstances are odd and when at times everything seems going wrong, I oftentimes find myself asking where is God in all these. What is He trying to teach me? When and how will help come? It is hard to see the good when everything around is dark. In spite of these, I can feel that tiny spark inside me, telling me to endure and hold on, receive the Eucharist, read His promises in the Bible, attend the weekly worship session, and just let go. Cry if you need to, let go and let God handle it.

The passage also challenges me to reflect on the nature of faith and acceptance. Jesus says, "The one who feeds on this bread will live forever." This is a call to not just acknowledge Him but to fully embrace Him and His teachings. It's about an ongoing relationship where we continually draw from His life-giving presence. In practice, this means prioritizing time for prayer, reflection, and seeking to live according to His teachings. It’s a call to recognize that, like physical bread, the spiritual nourishment Jesus provides is something I must consistently return to. It’s about daily choices to align my life with His will and to rely on His grace.

As I think about these verses, I am reminded that the bread of life is not just a doctrine to be understood but a reality to be lived. It’s an invitation to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Christ, a relationship that transforms not just my spiritual life but the way I approach every aspect of my existence.

 

Prayer

Dear God, 

May we continually seek Jesus, the bread of life, to find our deepest satisfaction and purpose in His presence. We trust that Your profound love and provision is available to us especially when we come to You with open hearts, may we easily recognize Your work in our lives. May we be instruments of Your loving presence in the people we encounter in our daily lives. Amen.

The Bread of Life

Eighteenth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

01 August 2021 

 

First Reading: EX 16:2-4, 12-15

Responsorial Psalm: PS 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

Second Reading: EPH 4:17, 20-24

Gospel: JN 6:24-35

 

Reflection

By: Gary Tulabut

 

In one article or another, I have shared about the time when I was a young 10-year-old apprentice of the Knights of the Blessed Sacrament. I remember vividly when we were asked by our elders in the group what our reason was for joining the organization of altar servers. Our answer, almost in unison was, "To serve Jesus." I know most of us do not really understood what those words really meant. In fact, some leaders in that meeting even asked us again, "Are you sure it's not about the girls?"

We might have different motives in serving, not only as little kids then but, even as grown ups. This is probably the reason why different strategies are still deployed just to attract attendees to, let's say, charismatic communities. Some are attracted to loud live-band-led worship accompanied by beautiful lights in an airconditioned hall. Some are attracted to the wonderful talks delivered by charismatic speakers. Some are looking for new acquaintances, or someone to share life stories with. Still, some would only attend because there is free food or unlimited coffee.

Today in the Gospel, Jesus said to the crowd that were following Him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw the signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal." (John 6:26-27)

The reasons that I enumerated above may seem to look like the food that perishes. But God sometimes may use them to lead us to the food that endures for eternal life.

 

Prayer

 

Holy Spirit, guide us to seek not only the food that perishes, but lead us to the Bread of Life. Amen.

 

 

Daily Bread

Eighteenth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

01 August 2021 

 

First Reading: EX 16:2-4, 12-15

Responsorial Psalm: PS 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

Second Reading: EPH 4:17, 20-24

Gospel: JN 6:24-35

 

Reflection

By: Pietro Albano

 

"Sir, give us this bread always."

Such plea runs parallel to the words Jesus taught us to say to the Father. "Give us this day our daily bread". Jesus knew very well the hunger of the world for Him that He willed to take the humble form of bread. We are so blessed that this bread is available for us to receive in the Mass. Just like ordinary food that must be shared, Our Lord - in the form of bread - must be shared with others, especially the poor, the outcast, and those who do not know Him yet. It is unfortunate to note how some Church leaders have used Holy Communion as a wall that divides the saints and sinners in our community. Such action, for me, defeats the very words of Christ: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." Indeed, as Pope Francis once said: "The Eucharist is essential for us: it is Christ who wishes to enter our lives and fills us with His grace. The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, it is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak."

• What is Holy Communion for you?
• What can you do to satisfy the world's hunger for Jesus?
• How can you encourage more people to receive Jesus in the Eucharist? 

Prayer

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for your Word today. Give us this day Yourself, our daily bread. Amen.

 

 

At the Threshold of Decision

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

August 23, 2015

First reading                                    Joshua 24:1-2,15-18

Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel together at Shechem; then he called the elders, leaders, judges and scribes of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Then Joshua said to all the people, ‘If you will not serve the Lord, choose today whom you wish to serve, whether the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are now living. As for me and my House, we will serve the Lord.’

The people answered, ‘We have no intention of deserting the Lord and serving other gods! Was it not the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors out of the land of Egypt, the house of slavery, who worked those great wonders before our eyes and preserved us all along the way we travelled and among all the peoples through whom we journeyed? What is more, the Lord drove all those peoples out before us, as well as the Amorites who used to live in this country. We too will serve the Lord, for he is our God.’

Psalm                                              Psalm 33:2-3,16-23 

Second reading                              Ephesians 5:2,25-32

Follow Christ by loving as he loved you. Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy. He made her clean by washing her in water with a form of words, so that when he took her to himself she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless. In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself. A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church, because it is his body – and we are its living parts. For this reason, a man must leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one body. This mystery has many implications; but I am saying it applies to Christ and the Church.

Gospel                                               John 6:60-69

After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?

‘It is the spirit that gives life,

the flesh has nothing to offer.

The words I have spoken to you are spirit

and they are life.

‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him.’ After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.

Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’

Reflection

By Rose Markell

In response to those who cannot accept His teaching, Jesus does not soften the hardness of His message. If they are troubled by the thought of Him descending from heaven, what will they think about Him ascending back to where He has been originally?  Because both descending and ascending imply that He is a heavenly being, the very claim scandalizes His hearers in the first place.  The point simply is that since they do not believe Jesus descended from heaven, they will probably remain unconvinced even if he ascends back to heaven.

Jesus continues the defense of His teaching by setting the notion of flesh over against the spirit.  He insists that the flesh, which here refers to the human way of being in the world, cannot give life.  He points out that only the Spirit gives life, and then He claims that His teaching is both Spirit and Life. And Jesus know that in many instances seeing is not believing because those who have followed Him as disciples have seen the wonders He has performed, yet they do not believe.  Faith in Jesus is not something that comes easily or naturally.  It is a grace given by God.  This grace may have been available to all, but Jesus knows that some will accept Him and some will not.  And as a result of this particular discourse, some of the disciples no longer follow Him.

Jesus then says to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?"  And Peter answers Him, "Master, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life".

Our consideration of Jesus' teaching about the Bread of Life leads us to the threshold of decision.  With all these many different religions going on, and all these confusions in the world nowadays, will we choose Jesus, despite the incredible claims He makes?  Or will we decide to stay where we are, satisfied with the life we are living, or still going and looking for the right religion, like a friend of mine, who went from one religion to another, till the day he died and never found what he really wanted?

Prayer

Dearest Lord,  please show us the way, we believe in You. You are our true God and only You have the words of eternal life. We trust in You.  Please enlighten the minds of those who are so confused, may they see the light in You again.  This we pray through Jesus, Your Son, the Bread of Life.  Amen.

Come to the Feast!

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 16, 2015

We are the people of the Lord, the flock that is led by his hand: come, let us adore him, alleluia.

First reading                                    Proverbs 9:1-6

Wisdom has built herself a house,

  she has erected her seven pillars,

she has slaughtered her beasts, prepared her wine,

  she has laid her table.

She has despatched her maidservants

  and proclaimed from the city’s heights:

‘Who is ignorant? Let him step this way.’

  To the fool she says,

‘Come and eat my bread,

  drink the wine I have prepared!

Leave your folly and you will live,

  walk in the ways of perception.’

Psalm                                              Psalm 33:2-3,10-15

Second reading                              Ephesians 5:15-20

Be very careful about the sort of lives you lead, like intelligent and not like senseless people. This may be a wicked age, but you redeem it. And do not be thoughtless but recognise what is the will of the Lord. Do not drug yourselves with wine, this is simply dissipation; be filled with the Spirit. Sing the words and tunes of the psalms and hymns when you are together, and go on singing and chanting to the Lord in your hearts, so that always and everywhere you are giving thanks to God who is our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel                                               John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the Jews:

‘I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.

Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;

and the bread that I shall give is my flesh,

for the life of the world.’

Then the Jews started arguing with one another: ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ they said. Jesus replied:

‘I tell you most solemnly,

if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,

you will not have life in you.

Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood

has eternal life,

and I shall raise him up on the last day.

For my flesh is real food

and my blood is real drink.

He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood

lives in me

and I live in him.

As I, who am sent by the living Father,

myself draw life from the Father,

so whoever eats me will draw life from me.

This is the bread come down from heaven;

not like the bread our ancestors ate:

they are dead,

but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.’

Reflection

By Rose Markell

This Sunday's Gospel is the fourth of five special readings from John Chapter 6. This reading is a clear, blunt teaching of Jesus about the bread from heaven, and this bread is His very Flesh and Blood. To have a spiritual life, one must eat Jesus' flesh and drink His blood.

Many of us misunderstand the language of Jesus, as He declares that His flesh is food and His blood is drink.  The phrase "flesh and blood" is rich in meaning. On a literal level, it is a common way of characterizing a human being.  When applied to Jesus, it is a proclamation of faith in the incarnation: he is indeed "flesh and blood".

On another level, it calls to mind the sacrificial victim that is first slaughtered (flesh and blood) and then shared at a cultic meal (food and drink).  Jesus is "flesh and blood" in this way as well, first as a sacrificial victim on the cross and then as Eucharistic food and drink.

And the Christological interpretation of the manna has taken on a new meaning.  The flesh and blood of Jesus have become the source of life for those who partake it. So in other words, eternal life comes from feeding on Jesus, not simply from believing in Him as was stated in the two previous Sundays.  As Jesus goes a step farther in His teaching on eternal life.  He implies that it is not something that believers merely hope to enjoy in the future.  Instead, those who share in the Eucharistic feast already possess eternal life. And what the future holds for them is the fullness of life that will be enjoyed after the general resurrection on the last day.

Prayer

Dear Lord, You shed Your light of truth within our hearts and minds. You bring understanding where there are lots of confusions. You bring certainty where there is doubt.  And You fill our hearts with hope where there was once despair.  And we thank You for the ability to perceive Your light and to walk in the freedom of truth.  Please help us not only to embrace You as the true bread and blood of life and as the light of our lives, but also to proclaim You, Lord as the real Light of the World! Lord, we know we don't need a new light; we need to begin to act on the fact of the Light is already with us, around us and in us in the presence of Jesus Christ.Thank You, Lord.  Amen. 

Jesus, the Living Bread

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 9, 2015

Come, ring out our joy to the Lord; hail the God who saves us, alleluia.

First reading                                    1 Kings 19:4-8

Elijah went into the wilderness, a day’s journey, and sitting under a furze bush wished he were dead. ‘O Lord,’ he said ‘I have had enough. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down and went to sleep. But an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked round, and there at his head was a scone baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. But the angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat, or the journey will be too long for you.’ So he got up and ate and drank, and strengthened by that food he walked for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

Psalm                                              Psalm 33:2-9

Second reading                              Ephesians 4: 30-5:2

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God who has marked you with his seal for you to be set free when the day comes. Never have grudges against others, or lose your temper, or raise your voice to anybody, or call each other names, or allow any sort of spitefulness. Be friends with one another, and kind, forgiving each other as readily as God forgave you in Christ.

  Try, then, to imitate God as children of his that he loves and follow Christ loving as he loved you, giving himself up in our place as a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.

Gospel                                               John 6:41-51

The Jews were complaining to each other about Jesus, because he had said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ ‘Surely this is Jesus son of Joseph’ they said. ‘We know his father and mother. How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’ Jesus said in reply, ‘Stop complaining to each other.‘No one can come to me unless he is drawn by the Father who sent me, and I will raise him up at the last day.

It is written in the prophets:They will all be taught by God, and to hear the teaching of the Father, and learn from it, is to come to me. Not that anybody has seen the Father, except the one who comes from God: he has seen the Father. I tell you most solemnly, everybody who believes has eternal life.‘I am the bread of life.Your fathers ate the manna in the desert

and they are dead; but this is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that a man may eat it and not die. I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.’

Reflection

By Rose Markell

The significance of Jesus’ statement cannot be ignored though His claim seems just too radical.  People begin to murmur against Him and in response, He defends Himself by tracing His origin back to God. Quoting a passage from one of the prophets (Isaiah 54:13), Jesus demonstrates this relationship.  He maintains that those who have been drawn by God will be taught by God that He is indeed the One sent by God. When they have learned this lesson from God, they will come to Him.  Salvation is the work of God, whom He calls His Father.  He concludes His teachings with an audacious statement that He is the only One who has seen the Father, because He is the only One who has come from the Father.

There are so many religions all around us that people are getting confused and do not know what to believe anymore! And some countries try to take Jesus out of the picture, not even allowing kids to pray in schools. That is why our world is a big mess. Robbery, killings, kidnappings of children are rampant in the world. It is so heartbreaking that it feels like nowhere is safe anymore, even in our own houses. There is so much hatred in this world. There is fire, typhoons, earthquakes, tornadoes, plane and train crashes, even at sea there are accidents. So much disaster.  But let us not lose hope.  

Jesus made two proclamations.  "I am the bread of life" and "I am the living bread that came down from heaven”.  We just need to stay with Jesus, take Him into our life so God’s grace, mercy and protection will freely flow into us and our families.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, our Bread of Life, please fill us with Your love. Enlighten our minds, comfort the discouraged and the confused. Please let us see through the dark clouds and discover the silver lining of Your love. Amen. 

After the Real Food

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 2, 2015

We are the people of the Lord, the flock that is led by his hand: come, let us adore him, alleluia.

First reading                                     Exodus 16:2-4,12-15

The whole community of the sons of Israel began to complain against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness and said to them, ‘Why did we not die at the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we were able to sit down to pans of meat and could eat bread to our heart’s content! As it is, you have brought us to this wilderness to starve this whole company to death!’

  Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Now I will rain down bread for you from the heavens. Each day the people are to go out and gather the day’s portion; I propose to test them in this way to see whether they will follow my law or not.

  ‘I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel. Say this to them, “Between the two evenings you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have bread to your heart’s content. Then you will learn that I, the Lord, am your God.”’

  And so it came about: quails flew up in the evening, and they covered the camp; in the morning there was a coating of dew all round the camp. When the coating of dew lifted, there on the surface of the desert was a thing delicate, powdery, as fine as hoarfrost on the ground. When they saw this, the sons of Israel said to one another, ‘What is that?’ not knowing what it was. ‘That’ said Moses to them ‘is the bread the Lord gives you to eat.’

Psalm                                              Psalm 77:3-4,23-25,54

Second reading                              Ephesians 4: 17,20-24

I want to urge you in the name of the Lord, not to go on living the aimless kind of life that pagans live. Now that is hardly the way you have learnt from Christ, unless you failed to hear him properly when you were taught what the truth is in Jesus. You must give up your old way of life; you must put aside your old self, which gets corrupted by following illusory desires. Your mind must be renewed by a spiritual revolution so that you can put on the new self that has been created in God’s way, in the goodness and holiness of the truth.

Gospel                                               John 6:24-35

When the people saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into those boats and crossed to Capernaum to look for Jesus. When they found him on the other side, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’
  Jesus answered:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
you are not looking for me because you have seen the signs
but because you had all the bread you wanted to eat.
Do not work for food that cannot last,
but work for food that endures to eternal life,
the kind of food the Son of Man is offering you,
for on him the Father, God himself, has set his seal.’
Then they said to him, ‘What must we do if we are to do the works that God wants?’ Jesus gave them this answer, ‘This is working for God: you must believe in the one he has sent.’ So they said, ‘What sign will you give to show us that we should believe in you? What work will you do? Our fathers had manna to eat in the desert; as scripture says: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ Jesus answered:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven,
it is my Father who gives you the bread from heaven,
the true bread;
for the bread of God
is that which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world.’
‘Sir,’ they said ‘give us that bread always.’ Jesus answered:
‘I am the bread of life.
He who comes to me will never be hungry;
he who believes in me will never thirst.’

Reflection

By Rose Markell

Having multiple loaves and fishes to feed the crowd, Jesus slips away.  The crowd finds Him.  He speaks about an imperishable food, better than manna, and says that He is the "Bread of Life".

Before making this statement, Jesus engages the crowd to give them instructions.  First, He knows that the crowd has followed Him not for any religious reason. They are not looking for signs of God's presence in their midst.  Jesus has fed them, and they want more of the free food.

This scenario is so similar to the "hakot" crowd that some politicians love to organize especially during campaigns or worse, to serve as their "shields" when law enforcers are chasing them.  And such "hakot" crowd would just be after the food and other amenities given them by these politicians.

But Jesus turns the crowd's desire from earthly bread to a different kind of food. Food that endures for eternity.  And to avail of this bread, one has to put faith on Him.

Every Sunday and other special occasions, we receive Jesus in a form of bread.  Our acceptance of Jesus as the living bread is summed up in that simple word when we say, “Amen” before we receive Him.

When was the last time we sincerely said "Amen"? And do we receive the body of Christ as a true follower or just part of the "hakot" crowd?

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, ever present in the sacred Host, grant us the grace to approach You with pure hearts - hearts that seek eternal life which You alone could give.  May our lives be a resounding "Amen" to Your saving love and abiding presence. One with Mama Mary we pray. Amen. 

Oh My, Tinapay!

First Reading: Ex 16:2-4, 12-15

The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, "Would that we had died at the LORD's hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!"

Then the LORD said to Moses, "I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion; thus will I test them, to see whether they follow my instructions or not. "I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God."

In the evening quail came up and covered the camp. In the morning a dew lay all about the camp, and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground. On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, "What is this?" for they did not know what it was. But Moses told them, "This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat."

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54

Second Reading: Eph 4:17, 20-24

Brothers and sisters:

I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; that is not how you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Gospel: Jn 6:24-35

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered them and said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him the Father, God, has set his seal."

So they said to him, " What can we do to accomplish the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent." So they said to him, "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."

Reflection

By Fidji Rivera-Sarmiento

Do you love bread? I.SO.MUCH.DO!!! You know that aroma of pan de sal slowly toasting, especially if it’s from a pugon oven? Oh heaven! Sometimes I think that heaven must have smelled like a bakery at 5:30 AM. I really love bread in its simplicity, nothing on top or in between, no butter or cheese spread, no coldcuts, no balsamic vinegar and garlic oil dips, just that warm bare bread. By bread, for me, that could be a bulilit pan de sal from Fernando’s, or the putok from our favorite no name bakery here in Baliuag, or the really soft brioche bread from Max’s (sans the cheese, sugar, and butter), or just a simple slice of white or wheat loaf bread, or a Chinese mantou without the asado filling… Oh, and that bagel out of the microwave, or a freshly baked baguette, or the plain pretzel at French baker... (Now if only I could stop naming my favorites; did I make you hungry?) I’d like to think that I’m a bread kind of gal, not cakes really, and I do carbo-load once in a while. (Oops!) With a good cup of coffee, I’m a happy camper, just the bread and me. 

So when the Lord said that He is the Bread of Life, I cannot help but compare how the simple monay can satisfy my cravings, and how the Lord’s Words nourish my hungry spirit. It is an instantaneous sustenance for my soul. The Lord’s promises bring about joy and hope to my heart. I have read somewhere that when you are at your lowest, and you got absolutely nothing but God’s grace, that’s when an inexplicable joy inundates your spirit. You become a child again. Free of despair, of hatred, and of loneliness.

We don’t even have to ask Him to come to us. Jesus had already offered Himself to the table for all of us to partake. This, we can do by immersing ourselves daily in His Word, by serving others, by simply being kind to everyone you meet, by planting peace and not discord, by realizing that He, the Bread of Life, is enough.

Now ask yourself:

1. Do I complain a lot like the Israelites?

2. Do I still ask God for signs and miracles before I fully believe and trust His power?

3. Do I prioritize working and slaving myself for “perishable food” rather than seeking the “food that gives eternal life”?

Prayer

Father, thank You for giving us Jesus, our Bread of Life! Amen.*Tip from a bread girl: Warm bread in the microwave with a cup of water, or a damp paper towel, in 10 second increments till desired texture. The steam prevents it from hardening. Now you have goodness in a plate that’s not toasted or soggy. Enjoy!