THE HEAVENLY FATHER’S BREAD (Jn 6:24-35)
Prayer:
O Jesus, give me to eat from the heavenly table.
Imagination:
Picture Jesus with his disciples teaching the crowds.
Context:
After Jesus multiplies the food and the people seek him out, he gives a lengthy teaching on heavenly bread. This heavenly bread is both his teaching and the Eucharist, his flesh and blood.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud.)
The crowds said to him, “What sign do you give us that we might see and believe? What work do you do? Our fathers ate manna in the desert, as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat’”. Jesus said, “Amen, Amen, I say to you, Moses did not give you bread from heaven but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. The bread of God is what comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.
Therefore, they said to him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall not hunger and whoever believes in me shall not thirst.”
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.)
- The crowd wants more signs.
- Jesus has already given them enough signs.
- So, he demands that they have faith in him.
- They want earthly bread, like the father provided for the Israelites.
- Now, the Father has sent Jesus, the true heavenly bread.
- Finally, the crowds seek the right bread, “Give us this bread always.”
- This bread is already given. Jesus is here.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- O Jesus, I do not need signs. I need only you.
- You will provide my daily bread. Why am I anxious?
- You have come down from heaven, a gift of the Holy Spirit through the Virgin Mary.
- O Jesus, give me always the bread of your presence.
- I will come to you and will never hunger again.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
+ I will go to mass every day possible.
+ I will trust God for my daily bread.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation.)
Whoever comes to me will never hunger.