Tuesday, April 16, 2002
3rd Week of Easter
1st Reading: Acts 7:51-8:1
Gospel: Jn 6:30-35
The
people said to Jesus, "Show us miraculous signs, that we may see
and believe you. What sign do you perform? Our ancestors ate manna in
the desert; as Scripture says: They were given bread from heaven to eat."
Jesus then said to them, "Truly, I say to you, it was not Moses
who gave you the bread from heaven. My Father gives you the true bread
from heaven. The bread God gives is the One who comes from heaven and
gives life to the world." And they said to him, "Give us this
bread always."
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me
shall never be hungry, and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty."
Commentary
Risen Lord, are you really a new Moses, leading your people across the
sea, from slavery to a new life of freedom? Moses gave us bread from heaven,
the manna God provided in the desert. And you? What do you give us?
I have no gimmicks, no sweet and miraculous food. What I have to give is myself , my presence with you on the journey. Many of our co- travelers are hungry and thirsty. Give them something to eat yourselves. I too am hungry and thirsty - I thirst to fulfil the purpose for which I came into the world, to walk with you, to let you find me in every person, creature and circumstance, sacraments of God-with-you. It's a journey that will take us, through suffering, sacrifice and love, to new life united with each other and with God. Will you journey with me?