Gospel: John 6:30-35
They then said, “Show us miraculous signs, that we may see and believe you. What sign do you perform? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert; as Scripture says: They were given bread from heaven to eat.”Jesus then said to them, “Truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven. My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread God gives is the One who comes from heaven and gives life to the world.” And they said to him, “Give us this bread always.”Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall never be hungry, and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty.

Reflections

“They were given bread from heaven to eat.”Jesus is given a hard time by his opponents. Before they come to believe in him, he must first perform a miracle for them, not just one miracle but many. They demand many signs. They are not really interested. Nothing will be enough for them.The story is written for us believers to deepen our belief in Jesus. He is the bread of life. Bread in Hebrew is lehem which also means food. Jesus is the source of our nourishment. Like the manna in the desert that comes from the Father in heaven, he, too, comes down from heaven, sent by the Father. While some- thing tangible is involved for it passes through our mouths, Jesus offers much more.The liturgists guide us to recognize the food as none other than Jesus when we participate in the Holy Eucharist. Jesus comes to us in his word and sacrament. To live fully as Christians, we need to listen to his words in the Liturgy of the Word and then partake in the Holy Communion. There is no better way to be nourished than this. Full participation in the Eucharistic celebration is the full expression of our faith in Jesus.
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