Jesus, the Bread of Life

 

Aug 2^nd, 15   Sunday Homily- Fr.Francis Chirackal CMI

Ex.16:2-4, 12-15; Eph 4:17, 20-24; Jn 6:24-35

For Reading

http://www.usccb.org/nab/080215.shtml

In Traveling Mercies Anne Lamott writes movingly of her struggle with bulimia and tells of her therapist’s startling counsel for her to learn to feed herself. Let your body feel hunger, she counsels, then feed yourself kindly. Do we need to learn to feel hunger so that we can learn how to feed our bodies? And will this exercise lead us through the door to a deeper hunger and a better bread? What is the bread of life that Jesus names?

Today’s readings present bread which is beyond the grasp of the natural human mind. When God gave the Israelites manna in the desert they asked what it was. Their murmuring turned into astonishment. When Jesus spoke of the bread of eternal life, there also was a group who murmured. When they saw the love and unity of early Christians who shared the breaking of the bread, they became astonished.  It challenges us to trust in the providence of a loving and caring God. Earthly bread alone cannot satisfy all of man’s hungers. That is why St. Augustine said: "O Lord, you have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless till they rest in You.” Only God can satisfy our various forms of spiritual hunger. 

 The first reading shows us how God satisfied the hunger of His chosen people in the desert by giving them manna and quail.  In the second reading, St. Paul advises us to satisfy our spiritual hunger, by turning away from evil ways and leading a life of love, kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

 In today’s Gospel Jesus makes the unique and bold claim that no one in the history of the human race would dare to make. He said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."  Jesus was offering the crowd bread from heaven, the bread that nourishes for eternal life, bread available to all people who have faith in Jesus Christ.

After giving the earthly bread, when Jesus offered heavenly bread, many left His company. But those who were receptive to the life giving bread, sought and found eternal life in Him as Peter says, “You have the words of eternal life.”   Those who were guided by the Word of God received the nourishment from Jesus, while others turned away disappointed as Jesus’ challenge required a commitment that they were unwilling to make.  Though the Spirit of God is a gift, it needs to be accepted with free will and desire. Many of the people who approached Jesus were not in a disposition to receive the ‘Bread of Life’ as they were not in a condition to feel the hunger for heavenly bread, or the bread was not the kind of bread they expected. As we know, some of the sick people may not feel hungry, though their body lacks energy as they are affected with sickness. It needs medication to feel hungry and to restore normal health. Same way we need healing from the divine physician when we are affected with sin and spiritual weakness. Jesus, the great physician is inviting and waiting for us to heal and energize us. Once we become healed, our soul and life will hunger for His body and thirst for His Blood to remain in that healed condition, and to grow further experiencing His tender loving care.

 We believe that the Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian Life" (Lumen Gentium). Because, it contains the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Jesus Christ himself.  The Eucharist is a Sacrament of Love that unites us with Christ who lived, died and rose again to bring us salvation. It strengthens and makes holy our relationship with our fellow-Christians, nourishes us with the transforming power of grace and prepares us for the future glory of God's heavenly banquet. Just receiving the Eucharist does not guarantee the Eternal life. Preparation for proper disposition to receive the Eucharist and the external expression of that Eucharist in real life after receiving the Holy Communion are the important requirements to enable the Bread of Life active in our lives and ensure Eternal Life. Let us receive the holy Communion with proper preparation and disposition. Let us make all efforts to get the maximum effects of the Eucharist in our lives and fill our daily lives with divine spirit. Let us receive the holy Eucharist frequently and always be energized in Jesus.

Let us be the people of‘ the ‘Bread of Life’ by receiving the Holy Eucharist with proper disposition, listening to the word of God and forming our life accordingly. God Bless you.