IN THIS Sunday’s gospel (John 6:41-51), Jesus reveals himself as the Bread of Life. Unlike the manna which the early Israelites fed on and still died, Jesus offers himself as the true bread from heaven who, when eaten, gives us the gift of eternal life.
Quite like ordinary food but more than it, Jesus satisfies our hunger. He addresses not only our physical hunger, but also our spiritual hunger for peace, joy, love, and most important of all, salvation.
Quite like ordinary food but more than it, Jesus gives us strength. He strengthens not only our bones and muscles, but also our souls. Jesus gives us the strength to resist temptation and overcome sin, and through the Holy Spirit, empowers us to bear fruits of righteousness.
Quite like ordinary food but more than it, Jesus builds us up and makes us grow. He transforms us more and more into the likeness and image of God, and conforms us to his character and will. Thus, because of Jesus, we do not remain as spiritual babes, but we mature into Christian men and women who are endowed with the dignity to serve as co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord.
Quite like ordinary food but more than it, Jesus repairs and restores us. As the Great Physician, he heals our bodies when we get sick, and as the Savior and Lord, he heals our souls when we fall into sin and repent.
Finally, Jesus, our Bread of Life, shares his life with us. “All things came to be through him, and without him, nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:3-5). He is the way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6).
In Holy Communion, let us remember who we are receiving – the God of heaven and earth who humbled himself in the Incarnation, and who offered his life on the cross so that by his death we may live. He tells us, “Whoever eats[s] my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me” (John 6:54-57).