Today's Gospel
Yesterday we considered becoming holy. It is a frightening experience for many. There is the thought that holiness means I have to sacrifice so much. Yet in today's gospel there is a clear message from Jesus Christ suggesting how holiness can be achieved.
For those seeking holiness, Jesus refers them to the Father. It is the bread that the Father has given us that enlivens the world. The bread he gives is more than the desert manna of the early Jewish people. Considering this, you might ask what is the manna that God the Father offers today in our world, our culture, our customs.
Perhaps we might describe the manna that is given to us today as similar to multi-grain bread. Today Jesus Christ himself is the bread from heaven. It is the Eucharistic meal given by the Father. Likewise today's manna is the marvelous gift of Sacred Scripture -- the written word of God. Also we might well consider the teachings or our Church as a part of the multi-grain bread given to us today.
To share in the gift of the Father that is our manna today there are several necessary actions. (1) You have to want the bread. (2) You have make an effort to get the bread. (3) You have to bring the bread to your home (heart). (4) You have to open up the manna given to you. (5) You have to eat the bread to gain its power.
To become "holy" you have to turn to your God and make your heart and mind ready to get the multi-grain bread that God wants in your life. Prayer, reading Sacred Scripture, spiritual reading, frequenting the Sacraments especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation: are these not the "stuff" of the spiritual multi-grain bread that we hunger for?
For those seeking holiness, Jesus refers them to the Father. It is the bread that the Father has given us that enlivens the world. The bread he gives is more than the desert manna of the early Jewish people. Considering this, you might ask what is the manna that God the Father offers today in our world, our culture, our customs.
Perhaps we might describe the manna that is given to us today as similar to multi-grain bread. Today Jesus Christ himself is the bread from heaven. It is the Eucharistic meal given by the Father. Likewise today's manna is the marvelous gift of Sacred Scripture -- the written word of God. Also we might well consider the teachings or our Church as a part of the multi-grain bread given to us today.
To share in the gift of the Father that is our manna today there are several necessary actions. (1) You have to want the bread. (2) You have make an effort to get the bread. (3) You have to bring the bread to your home (heart). (4) You have to open up the manna given to you. (5) You have to eat the bread to gain its power.
To become "holy" you have to turn to your God and make your heart and mind ready to get the multi-grain bread that God wants in your life. Prayer, reading Sacred Scripture, spiritual reading, frequenting the Sacraments especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation: are these not the "stuff" of the spiritual multi-grain bread that we hunger for?
"I am the bread of life" Jesus said.
