Daily Gospel Reflection for April 22, 2015

Today's Gospel: John 6:35-40

John 6, or the Bread of Life Discourse, is one of the most daunting passages for me as a theology student to study, write about, or discuss. It’s heavy with crucial realities, hidden messages through language, and ultimately the most pivotal point of our faith.

But Jesus didn’t want us to get caught up in all the technicalities of it. Rather, He desires for us to see the literal truth when He says, “I am the bread of life.” Of course, we know that the bread of which He speaks is the Eucharist. It is not something which we can brush aside as unimportant. No, Jesus is telling us how to best live our lives to the fullness of His glory.

If we were told that the fountain of life was finally discovered, people would rush to go. When we are sick, we dutifully take pills and tablets and dissolve potions in water in order to get better. But what holds us back from tapping into the immense gift of the Eucharist, where we receive eternal life and our spiritual sicknesses are healed?

Is it because we do not believe? Are we tempted to walk away, as the Jews do in the Gospel? Are we afraid to open our hearts to the Lord?

Ponder:

If possible this week, spend some time in Eucharistic Adoration, thanking God for the gift of Himself in the Bread of Life.

Pray:

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Amen.

We thank our friends at The Word Among Us for providing our gospel reflection team with copies of Abide In My Word 2015: Mass Readings at Your Fingertips. To pray the daily gospels with this wonderful resource, visit The Word Among Us.

Copyright 2015 Allison DeWolf