St. John records that Jesus solemnly proclaimed himself the bread of life, the light of the world, the good shepherd, the gate of the sheepfold, the resurrection and the life, the true vine, the Way, the Truth and the life.

St. Paul did not write a Gospel, but, in his letters there are many echoes of the Gospel teaching and at times he follows Jesus' methodology in teaching. Thus he declares to the Corinthians that Jesus is our wisdom, our justice, our sanctification, our redemption. In other letters he also uses this method, declaring that Jesus is our peace, our hope of glory.

This formula which both John and Paul use to reveal what Jesus is for us is important for our spiritual lives, and each of these phrases, "I am the bread of life", etc., is worth meditating on at length. Such prayerful consideration of their meaning will open the door to an experience of the height and the depth and the breadth of the mystery of Christ, God with us and for us, for spirituality is fostered by acknowledging and appreciating who and what Jesus is for us.