It is 2nd May 2017. We celebrate the memorial of St Athanasius, Bishop & Doctor of the Church. The readings are from Acts 7:51-8:1; and the Gospel from John 6:30-35. The first reading reports the murder of the first martyr Saint Stephen for having pointed out so bluntly that they are responsible for the death of Jesus. The witness to Jesus comes out in our unconditional forgiving tone and gesture of our lives when we are abused, unfairly, and unjustly treated by the others. Our longing and desire to connect with God happens in Christ. The hunger we all experience in living for Christ is never be satisfied by any mundane things. The attempts to satisfy our spirit thirst and hunger is vividly seen in the way we daily for Jesus and to become the witness for Him. There is no tiredness in loving and caring for Christ no matter who is the person whether good or evil. In spreading the love of Christ, we must not be phony and peripheral rather deep and prudent. Spreading the love Christ must not destroy the others in anyway even if they are presently finding it hard to accept Christ and His kingdom of love. The stand we take for Jesus needs to allow the other to have a space to express and expound their love for God and life in their limited way. Our hunger and thirst would never be met unless it culminates in Jesus. The responsorial Psalm prays, “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” (Ps.30:6). In the Gospel Jesus assures that He is the Bread of life. “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall never be hungry, and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty.” (Jn.6:35). Jesus corrected their misconception telling that it was God who gave Manna not Moses. He led them to accept Him as the bread of life, He himself. Good things come in small packages. The Eucharist, though looks small yet extremely powerful to heal all our wounds and pains caused by habitual sins. Forgiveness and love comes through the one who demonstrated the supreme love on the Cross. Let Jesus be the one satisfy all our spiritual thirst and hunger on a daily basis. May you have a good day.