I Am the Bread of Life. What is Jesus Actually Telling Us? Impact on Our Spiritual Life!

I Am the Bread of Life. What is Jesus Actually Telling Us? Impact on Our Spiritual Life! Yesterday, we heard about the martyrdom of St. Stephen, and Saul was present. Stephen placed his spirit into the hands of Christ. This had an immediate impact. Stephen says, Lord do not hold this against them. The great Deacon’s actions echo what Jesus Himself says on The Cross. Saul is emboldened by the death of Stephen. Saul, encouraged by the people putting Stephen to death, begins his immediate persecution of members of the “Catholic” Church. We hear in scripture about breaking into homes of people in the middle of the night and dragging them out! What we hear is a remarkable example of cruelty and persecution. Even as this is happening, within these events, something greater is happening! The world sees this false strength in a bold and threating way. What does the Church say? The Church tells us the blood of the martyrs are the seeds by which the Church grows! Stephen’s blood has been spilled. The persecution erupts around him. And the Church grows! Hear more within the Homily! The Bread of Life The Gospel scripture is St. John’s description of the Bread of Life (Chapter 6). He doesn’t just write down what Jesus says. He very carefully frames it. The Lord has fed several thousand people. Then He walks across the water. Note what the Lord demonstrates to us! As the Lord of nature, He is capable of doing several things . . . or anything He desires . . . with bread! And, as Lord, He is capable of doing anything He desires with His body! He easily walks upon water despite a great storm. He demonstrates He is capable of going beyond our sense of the reasonable and natural. People experience the feeding of the thousands. People come to Him asking Him for another sign. The Lord has already given His sign. The heart of mankind still seeks more and asks for more signs. Hear the significance and reason behind this within man’s heart! Jesus Tells Us . . . This Gospel is not unfamiliar to us. We understand Jesus is the Bread of Life. However, we encourage you to listen to this Homily to understand what St. John is trying to frame and its importance for our own Spiritual Life. Jesus tells us to not be concerned with being unworthy. That is not what Jesus focuses on. It is not what we should be focusing on . . . as true as that might be. Understand what Jesus is telling us. Listen to: I Am the Bread of Life. What is Jesus Actually Telling Us? Impact on Our Spiritual Life! Listen to this Meditation Media. ----------------------------- Image: The Last Supper – The First Eucharist: Spanish Painter: Vicente Juan Masip: 1562 The first image is a cropped image focusing on The Bread of Life. ----------------------------- Gospel Reading: John: 6: 35-40