The people who sought out Jesus after the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fishes were led to him not by their faith, but by their stomachs. They were looking for a handout, a bellyful of bread. They did not understand that the eating of the bread was a sign of greater partaking. They were hungry, plain and simple, and they wanted more bread. Jesus loses no time in getting the crowd to recognize a deeper sort of hunger. He speaks to them of lasting bread, bread that nourishes, not just human life but offers life eternal. To their credit, the crowd listens. Thinking that they had to fast or do some “work” to get this bread, the people asked what they must do. Jesus tells them to believe in Him (John 6:29).

This was not the answer the people expected, so they ask Jesus for a sign that would earn their faith. A sign such as the manna God sent their forebears in the desert. Jesus explains that the old testament manna was but perishable bread. The bread He gives is imperishable, the true bread that comes from God. The people, still not fully understanding, respond to Jesus’ offer by saying, “Sir, give us this bread always.” ( John 6 : 34 ) Then Jesus delivers the punch line of his message: “I myself am the bread of life.”

And the people? They still do not recognize that the Messiah for whom they’ve been awaiting for generations is standing before them. He is a spiritual Messiah, not a political one, who will nourish them with His Body and Blood in the Eucharist.

We also keep making the same mistake. Do you fail to recognize the bread of life in the Eucharist. This Sunday, when you are presented with the bread of life, the Body of Christ, remember, this is the bread you have been waiting for. Receive this bread worthily for this bread is as good as it gets. It is the body of Christ.

Before we eat the bread, during mass, that is the Body of Christ, we say “Amen.” This is a pledge that says, “Yes, I will be the Body of Christ for others. I will be like Jesus who laid down His life for others!” Understand this when you receive the Eucharist. You cannot receive Christ worthily in the Eucharist if you do not see Christ in your brothers and sisters. There is a beautiful, but brief ceremony during mass before we approach the altar to receive Christ in communion. It is called, The Sign of Peace. We turn to each other and offer the sign of peace. Thus we must be reconciled with our brothers and sisters, we must be prepared to see Christ in them in order to approach the Eucharist worthily. Jesus insists that you need to be reconciled with your brother or sister first before going to the altar. ( Matthew 5 : 24 )

Recognize, the next time you receive the Eucharist at mass, that you are promising to be Christ-like since you have received Christ, the Bread of Life.

Fr. Hugh Duffy