Jesus, the Bread of Life

08-01-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Arul Doss

Dear brothers and sisters,

Good morning to you all. On this Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus teaches the importance of seeking the bread which satisfies the hunger not only of the body but also of the soul. Jesus is the bread who the Father had given to respond to our hunger and thirst.

The first reading from the Book of Exodus reflects the grumbling against Moses and Aaron, which is a way of grumbling against God. There is never anything that satisfies the people completely, neither the people in the Old Testament nor the people of our own time. In the gospel, Jesus read the mind of the people following him. He performed the miracle of multiplication of bread and fish out of necessity. However, like the Israelites, his followers become obsessed with food. They were carried away by physical hunger. They came to search for their daily bread but, failed to recognize that Christ was the bread of life.

One important lesson for us today is that when we pay too much attention to material things, we forfeit the spiritual meaning of life. So, our relationship with God and, indeed with others must not be based solely on how much material things we are able to get from them. We must also seek spiritual things. Unfortunately, at times we act like the Israelites by murmuring against God. For some of us, “God is good” only when things are okay. However, when we are faced with difficulties, we forget all his goodness.

Hence in our second reading, knowing that we are on a spiritual journey Paul advised us: "You should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds”.(Eph 4:22-23) Illusory desires prevent us from appreciating God’s goodness. They leave us with spiritual starvation. Spiritual starvation is the root of all weaknesses. So, 'to put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of Truth' (Eph 4:24)' means to protect and nourish our soul spiritually, especially, when our physical body is weak and suffers.

Finally, the gospel teaches us that Christ is the bread of life. He is present in the Holy Eucharist. Each time we celebrate Him, we celebrate and receive life. He strengthened the Israelites in the desert when: “He gave them bread from heaven.” Hence, to strengthen us for our spiritual journey on earth, Christ offers us himself at every Mass. We are indeed blessed as we pray at every Mass: “Blessed are those who are called to this supper.”

Have a Happy and Blessed day!

Yours in Jesus Christ
Fr. Doss

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