Daily Gospel Reflection for April 28, 2023

ééJoin us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 6:52-59

“You are what you eat” is a popular cliché. Do you want to be healthy? Eat healthy. Do you want to be holy? The same formula applies. Nutritious food helps heal and energize us for our worldly labors. Spiritual food, the Holy Eucharist, restores and refuels us for the work of the heavenly kingdom.

Christ doesn’t sugar coat it:

“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.”

Holy Eucharist -- the source of life and energy to do good work-- promises eternal life.

Some people in Christ’s crowd disagreed with Him. They nipped at each other, arguing among themselves, looking for a loophole, aiming for controversy. They didn’t accept Him as the Messiah. To them, he is “this man,” but Christ corrects them, referring to Himself as “The Son of Man.” He is not simply a human being or a prophet but the prophesied Messiah. The title depicts power, absolute truth, and the fulfillment of the Old Covenant. We are called to full communion, not dissension; to unity, not to salvation-recipes of our own creation. His speech is simple and plain. For the humble, it's easy to swallow; for the hungry, it's satiating. He gives His flesh for the world: body, blood, soul and divinity. Are we picking and choosing what suits our taste? Are we nibbling at His gifts instead of being gorged with grace?

We are called to receive Him fully and give ourselves entirely to Him for His glory and the salvation of others. His grace is soul food -- for us to share with all those we encounter.

Ponder:

Are we picking and choosing what suits our taste or nibbling at His gifts instead of being gorged with grace?

Pray:

Dear Lord, You have called me to full communion. Fill me with Your grace to overflowing.

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We are called to full communion, not dissension; to unity, not to salvation-recipes of our own creation. #DailyGospel

Copyright 2023 Laurie J. Schmitt