.The Bread of Life Discourse

Today's Reflections

The Bread of Life Discourse 

 

Jn 6:30-35

³⁰[The crowd] said to [Jesus], “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? ³¹Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:/ ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ”/ ³²So 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. ³³For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

³⁴So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” ³⁵Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

 

Reflection:
 

I am the bread of life. Jesus speaks of signs. A sign stands for a deeper reality than what is perceived by the senses. The crowd sees in Jesus an answer to their material need and physical hunger. To see signs is to read with the eyes of faith. People must see the meaning of Jesus’ actions at the multiplication of the loaves. Jesus will continue to feed them, giving them bread that will bring them to eternal life. He himself is the living bread for our salvation.

Manna literally means, “What is this?” This was the annoyed reaction of the Israelites to the provisional food that Yahweh gave them in the desert on their journey to the Promised Land. Yet they complained and grumbled.

As God fed his people with manna during their exodus, God now offers the bread of life that not only satisfies human hunger but gives eternal life in Jesus who declares, “Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

Let us believe in Jesus as the new manna from heaven. Let us lovingly accept Jesus as the bread of eternal life with love. With faith let us receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

Receive the Eucharist unto eternal lifewith your family and friends.