Gospel Reading for August 18, 2024 – John 6: 51-58
STILL BE WITH US
Jesus said to the crowds: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
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How important it is for us to have food if we are to survive living in this world. As a matter of fact, when those who are very sick lose appetite for food, we know that their end is near. It is no wonder that Jesus chose food, more particularly bread, to refer to himself. If we are to live a truly happy, peaceful and fruitful life in the midst of challenges, we need Jesus very badly. We need to receive him in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, Word and Body. How very thoughtful of Jesus, who made sure that even if he had gone back to the Father, he can STILL BE WITH US and how very blessed are we!
Lord, may receiving your Word and Body make us another Christ to all we meet each day!
