Today’s Scripture passage from the Gospel of St John includes the first of Jesus’ “I am” sayings—“I am the bread of life.”
Eating and drinking sustain us in this life. We cannot go without food and drink for very long before we cease to live. In fact, we know that if we are malnourished or do not drink enough water, we become weak and
less ‘well’ and ‘alive’ than we should be.
In this text, Jesus is not only saying that we need him as much as we need food and drink to stay alive. He promises that if we receive him like we accept food and drink, we will more than stay alive for now; we will live forever.’ What a promise! Earthly food and drink will make us strong for life on this earth, but Jesus will wondrously nourish us in such a way that we
will never die.
Think back to how, when Jesus fed the crowds with earthly food, they craved more from him and followed him all the way to Capernaum. How much more would we want to follow Jesus and be nourished into eternal life?
Christian minds are always drawn to the Eucharist when we hear Jesus’ words, “I am the bread of life.” This is right and fitting, but let us never
forget that Jesus desires to give us all that is necessary for our life and well-being here on earth and all that is necessary for eternal life with him.
What daily bread – food, wisdom, or insight – do you need today? Ask Jesus for it.
What spiritual needs or graces do you desire today? Ask Jesus for these as well.
Thank Jesus that he is your ‘bread of
life’.
Reflections by Reggie Venter
