Dear Parishioner
We are living in a world where people of all races and creeds hunger more for spiritual sustenance than for physical food. In response to the spiritual hunger of people in his own day, and to us as well, Jesus proclaims himself to be "the Bread of Life that came down from Heaven".
The first reading describes the physical and spiritual hungers experienced by the prophet Elijah. The Bread of Life Jesus speaks about is prefigured in this reading by the miraculous food with which the angel nourished the Prophet Elijah in the desert while he was fleeing from the soldiers of Queen Jezebel. After being nourished by the Lord, Elijah was strengthened for the long journey of forty days to Mount Horeb, where God instructed him to continue his prophetic work.
The second reading presents Christ Jesus, the "Bread of Life", as a "sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma". Paul reminds the Ephesian Christians and us that, instead of seeking satisfaction in stale food of anger, slander, bitterness and malice, we are to nourish one another with the spiritual food of compassion, kindness and mutual forgiveness.
Today's Gospel describes Jesus' discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum on his return there after his miraculous feeding of the five thousand. During the discourse, Jesus reveals himself as the true "Bread of Life that came down from Heaven", to give life to the world. Jesus proclaims himself as the new and perfect manna, the Incarnate Son of God literally "come down from Heaven". This means that by the Holy Eucharist, Jesus actually gives us a share of eternal life while we are still on earth. But some of Jesus' followers would turn away when he explained the source of his mysterious power and his Heavenly origin.
So, let us accept the challenge to become bread and drink for others: "You are what you eat". Let us recognize that Jesus whom we consume in the Holy Eucharist is actually God Who assimilates us into His being. Then, from Sunday to Saturday we will grow into Jesus, as Jesus grows in us, our lives will be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and we will become more like Jesus. We also remember to appreciate Christ's presence in the Holy Eucharist: Since the Holy Eucharist is "the Body and Blood, together with the soul and Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ".
Fr Sabu Pariyadan RCJ
SEND, O LORD: HOLY APOSTLES INTO YOUR CHURCH
Daily for the sick clergy of our Diocese
The sick and housebound
Those who have recently died: Pauline Hepworth
Years Mind:
Monday: Fr Stephen Keane
Saturday: Fr Peter Prendergast
Sunday: Vincent Hurley, Fr Andrew Hurley
First Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6
Eat my bread, drink the wine I have prepared for you.
Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20
Recognise what is the will of God.
Gospel: John 6:51-58
My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.