Word to the Wise
Tuesday, May 7, 2019 - 3rd Week of Easter - Tues
[Acts 7:51-8:1a and John 6:30-35]"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. For the bread of I God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst." [John]
The "Bread of Life" discourse fills most of chapter six of the Gospel According to John. Two different strands of thought emerge. The first is about faith in Jesus. It is belief in Jesus that is "the bread of life." The second is about Jesus' giving us his body and blood as the "bread of life." It is the second strand that causes considerable questioning and some disciples found it too hard to accept. [John 6:60-69]. They thought he was advocating cannibalism!
We Catholics smile at such a literal response to Jesus' words, but the Eucharist continues to be a stumbling block to many. A young woman whom I instructed in the faith told me that the Eucharist was the biggest challenge to her. "If you can accept that, the rest is easy." However, we Catholics also need to pray attention to Jesus' words with regard to the first strand. It is not Moses nor is it the presiding priest who gives us the bread of life. It is the action of the Holy Spirit, whom we invoke in faith, that makes the transformation of simple elements of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.
There will be more from the Bread of Life discourse this week that will help us to appreciate the gift that Jesus has given to us which we call "the Eucharist." The very word means "thanksgiving," and gratitude is, indeed, the best response. AMEN