In the Gospel we continue reading from John who speaks of Jesus as the Bread of Life, bread that "comes down from heaven". "I AM the living bread." We need to understand this not just in terms of 'Holy Communion' but in the sense that the whole meaning of our life comes from our totally assimilating the Way of Jesus into our lives and making it totally our own. So that we can say with Paul, "I am alive, no, it is not I but Christ lives in me." Our Eucharistic celebration, when we eat the Body and drink the Blood of Christ, is the sacramental celebration of something that pervades our whole lives. To "eat" this Bread is not just to "receive Jesus" but, much more, actively to identify totally with him in all our words and actions. We do that, for instance, by following Paul's advice today to "be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Be imitators of God…live in love as Christ has loved us." That is how the Bread is to be eaten, not just at Mass but all through my day.
Who eats this Bread will live forever.
|
DAILY OFFERING
|
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
|
PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
|
INTENTION
That orphans may not lack the care necessary for their human and Christian formation.
Elaboration
|
|