First Reading: Acts 6:8-15; Psalm: 119. R. v. 1b; Gospel: Jn 6:22-29

THE EUCHARISTIC BREAD

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

After the feeding of the five thousand, the crowd came looking for Jesus the following day. Jesus was disappointed that this crowd were only interested in earthly food that perishes. The reason he fed the crowd with bread wasn’t to channel their hearts to material food that is perishable. It was to make manifest that he is the true bread that can satisfy their spiritual hunger. Jesus would quench their hunger for ever if only they believed in him. But the whole miracle was misconstrued by the crowd. They were more concerned about their stomachs than their souls.

Jesus had to reprimand them in these words: “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life” (Jn 6:27). Although our physical good is necessary but our spiritual good is more important. So we should be wary of being so much preoccupied with earthly needs to the detriment of our spiritual needs.

Our hunger for the Eucharistic food should be our topmost priority. There are some of us who are really not bothered when we don’t receive Holy Communion at mass. It appears as though the body of Christ does not interest us any longer. Because we feel we have all it takes to be comfortable and happy in life. The Eucharist is not a mere wafer. It is the Body of Christ. When we receive it worthily, we become a part of Christ, and Christ, a part of us. It is a disaster to live without Christ in us. So, go for confession if that is the reason we don’t receive the Eucharist. Because without Christ in us, we are condemned to die.  

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, increase our hunger for the Eucharistic meal. Amen.