Each time we receive the Bread of Life, Jesus comes to give new meaning to our fragilities

Dear People of God,

It is 08th August 2021. We celebrate the 19th Sunday in Ordinary time.

We reflect on 1 Kings 19:4-8; Ephesians 4:30–5:2; and the Gospel of John 6:41-51.

Are we tired, hungry, and exhausted? You are in the right place and at the right time indeed. Some of us are tired of the abuse, ingratitude, and unforgiving attitudes, and many others are exhausted and hungry due to non-stop working conditions.

At times we end up complaining round the clock. We complain about good things as well as bad things.

What strengthens us when we go through this fragility and brokenness, fear of death, sickness and when we feel we are haunted by people against whom we have taken a stand? It is faith in Jesus (last Sunday’s gospel) the Word of God (today’s Gospel) and the Eucharist (next Sunday gospel) are the three types of spiritual food that strengthens us integrally.

His Holiness Pope Francis catechized: “The Eucharist is not the reward of saints, no, it is the Bread of sinners. Therefore, he exhorts us: “Do not be afraid! Take and eat.”  Each time we receive the Bread of Life, Jesus comes to give new meaning to our fragilities. He reminds us that in his eyes we are more precious than we think. He tells us he is pleased if we share our fragilities with him.”

The First Reading speaks of the care offered by God to prophet Elija as he wandered aimlessly and meaninglessly for fear of being killed by Queen Jezebel and he wanted to end his life. He complained to God about the people of Israel for their forgetfulness of God. God did not listen to his prayer of ending his life he ended up feeding him with bread. It was a moment of encouragement and blessing. God fed him with bread and water twice. “He got up and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.” (1 Kings 19:8).

We are invited not to make the Holy Spirit sad. Then what makes the Holy Spirit glad. Unity, peace, forgiveness, and to do good and avoid evil. One who is taught by the Holy Spirit never would harm the other.

Is there a medicine for living without dying? A master announced to a village that he has found medicine for living without facing death. So, he asked them to gather on a particular day at a specific time. The entire village was present. Seeing the crowd, he said to live without death, you should not be born. Everyone was so ashamed.

But today Jesus claims that He tells three things for us to experience life in Him that lasts.

The first one is TRUST. “Whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (Jn.11:26).

The second one is to keep His WORD: “whoever obeys my word will never see death.” (Jn8:51).

The third one is to consume His Body, “Whoever eats this bread will live forever. (Jn.6:51).

That is why the Psalm beautifully describes it: “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” (Ps.34:8). It is not enough we consume the Eucharist, but we need to become the eucharistic Christ to the other.

His Holiness Pope Francis teaches us: “Let us ask ourselves this question: when someone approaches who is hurting, who has made a mistake, who has gone astray in life, is the Church, this Church, a room large enough to welcome this person and lead him or her to the joy of an encounter with Christ? Let us not forget that the Eucharist is meant to nourish those who are weary and hungry along the way.”

We are all tired of searching for happiness and contentment in life. Jesus is our quest and blessing. Unless the Father-God draws us to Him through Jesus, we cannot come closer to Him.

Unless we forgive, we cannot experience eternal life in Christ Jesus.

May we not just eat His Bread to keep living alone for ourselves but let us help others to live with the strength we have obtained by the Eucharist.

God bless you. Have a lovely day.