Gospel of John, Chapter 6:58

In today’s gospel, Jesus challenges his listeners again to look beyond the bread that sustains the body and to accept “the living bread”, namely Himself, who comes “down from Heaven.” Jesus, the “living bread come down from heaven” is present in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, we are all welcomed into a sacred reality that transcends the selfishness of human nature. The bread of life, which we receive, fills all our spiritual needs and enjoins us to follow the selfless example of Christ. Freely we have received this gift, and freely we must now share it with one another by feeding the hungry; by giving drink to the thirsty; by visiting the sick and those in prison; by reaching out to the downtrodden; by helping our brothers and sisters in need.

To accept the Eucharist requires a leap of faith. This is why Jesus asserts: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” It takes a long, long time to absorb and appreciate this mystery. The Eucharist makes present on the altar, Jesus Christ, the bread of life. Just as Jesus lives because of the Father, we can share in His life because of the Eucharist. In the Eucharist, we are invited to share in the fullness of God’s life; The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Let us take to heart, therefore, what we receive in the Eucharist, and let us put on Christ and see Christ in one another.

The Eucharist is the Lord’s way of coming into our lives. Not only did He walk the highways and byways of Galilee showing us how we should live. He still walks among us whenever we receive the Eucharist worthily; whenever we become a living Eucharist by what we receive at the altar of Holy Mass; by how we live our lives and treat one another.

Yours Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Hugh Duffy