Wednesday in the Third Week of Easter

John 6:35-40

“I am the bread of life.” (Jn 6:35)

Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant by this? How is he the bread of life for us, and what kind of “life” does he give?

“The Fathers of the Church took the example of physical nourishment to explain this mystery. It is the stronger form of life, they said, that assimilates the weaker and not vice versa. The vegetable world assimilates minerals, and animals assimilate vegetables, and the spiritual assimilates the material. To those who receive him, Jesus says: ‘You shall not change me into your own substance. Instead you shall be changed into me.’

“Food is not a living thing and therefore cannot give us life. It is a source of life only in that it sustains the life we have. The bread of life is a living bread, and those who receive it live by it. So while the food that nourishes the body is assimilated by the body and forms human blood, the complete opposite takes place with the bread of life. This bread gives life to those that receive it, ‘assimilates’ them, and transforms them into itself.

“Christ calls himself the ‘bread of life’ precisely to make us understand that he doesn’t nourish us as ordinary food does, but that, as he possesses life, he gives it to us…. To say that Jesus ‘assimilates’ us in communion signifies, in fact, that he makes us similar to him in our sentiments, desires, and our way of thinking; in a word he creates in us ‘the mind that was in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 2:5).”

Keep these points in mind the next time you receive communion. Offer yourself to the Lord. Give him your challenges and your sins as well as your gifts and treasures. Let him assimilate you and transform you into himself. You won’t lose your freedom or your identity. On the contrary, as you lose yourself in him, you will find even greater freedom and dignity. You will find the life that he wants to give you!

(from The Word Among Us, 5/11/11)

Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter

John 6:30-35

“Give us this bread always.” (Jn 6:34)

The crowd was excited. Jesus had just used a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread to feed thousands! Now, having eaten their fill, you can almost hear them thinking: “Maybe we could get him to keep on providing for us just as Moses kept giving our ancestors manna. We would never have to worry about food again!”

Jesus is well aware that we need food and drink. He didn’t think it was beneath himself to feed his listeners when they got hungry. Jesus is also well are that we are always hungering for peace, security, forgiveness and dignity. He knows that whatever our physical state may be, the “food” he offers can meet our inner needs. This bread of life can strengthen us so that we can face any situation. It gives us the clarity that only comes from knowing we belong to Christ.


Sharing a meal after Bible Study or coffee after Mass is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and a great way to go home satisfied. But Jesus offers us something even more life-giving. Each and every day, he offers himself to us on the altar. He seeks to draw us deeper into his life so that we can be transformed. As we receive him in the Eucharist, he can satisfy our deepest hunger. He can give us the wisdom and courage we need to meet any challenge. He can fill us so much, in fact, that we will have plenty left over to share with the people around us. Jesus Christ, is the bread come down from heaven, giving life to those who receive it!

Monday of the Third Week of Easter

"Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures

for eternal life." (John 6:27)

Easy to say, but not so easy to do when we get caught up in wanting to possess the latest technology or a new outfit. Isn’t it funny that we are initially happy and excited, but then they soon lose their attraction?  Despite what we hear and see in TV ads, our lives are much richer when we invest ourselves in things that endure. God created us for love, not just to acquire things. He created us to love him and to love one another, not to love things that we can buy.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that God wants us all to live like hermits. Especially if we have families, we have to be concerned about providing for their needs. And God doesn’t want to deprive us of the things of this world. Rather, he wants to make sure we are focusing on him first.

Today, think about how you spend your time, talent and treasure. Perhaps a quick glance at what you have can give you a glimpse into your priorities. Take a look too at the things that preoccupy you.

Jesus told us that wherever our treasure lies, there our hearts lie as well. Are you seeking Jesus first? Where can you do better? If you see a need for change, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. You may find that investing in Scripture, Eucharist and the love of God will indeed give you the change you are seeking.

The Third Sunday of Easter

"God raised this Jesus; of this we are all witnesses." (Acts 2:32)

The resurrection of Jesus was at the heart of Peter’s message on Pentecost, and it became his mission statement for the rest of his life. Two thousand years later, God still wants the resurrection to be at the heart of our faith. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: "The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ and preached as an essential part of the Paschal mystery along with the cross: Christ is risen from the dead!" (638).

Take time today to think about the ways that the reality of Jesus’ resurrection has changed your life. How has it given you hope, strength, comfort and peace? Make it your statement of faith that you can announce to yourself and to the Lord every morning when you wake up. With the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit make it the basis for all your decisions.

Just as the apostles were first-century witnesses to the resurrection, God calls us to be twenty-first-century witnesses to the very same event. We should try to witness through our good deeds, and speak clearly, excitedly, and joyfully about this basis for our hope and our faith!

Saturday of the Second Week of Easter

"It is I. Do not be afraid." (John 6:20)

Just what were these seasoned fishermen afraid of? Surely not a storm on the lake! They had seen that before. No, John tells us that the disciples "began to be afraid" when they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water (John 6:19). It wasn’t until they heard Jesus’ voice that their fears faded. It wasn’t until his words reached them that they could look beyond the understandably unnerving image of a man walking on water and catch a glimpse of the Son of God.

Then came his voice, his word. This was Jesus, their teacher and friend! He wasn’t a ghost from the netherworld. He wasn’t an angry god bestriding the seas bringing vengeance and wrath. He was Jesus of Nazareth, and he had come to help them.

In the midst of our inner storms, Jesus calls out: "It is I. Do not be afraid." His word can calm our fears. His word—his voice—can reassure us that he has a perfect plan for our lives and that we can trust him completely.

Make it a point today to listen to Jesus. No matter what is making you worried, anxious, or fearful, quiet your mind. Let the voice of the Lord bring you peace. You’ll be amazed how quickly—and safely—you get to the other side!

Friday of the Second Week of Easter

John 6:1-15

"Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?" 

(Jn 6:5)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks Philip what to do in a challenging situation. Philip quickly estimates the size of the crowd and calculates the cost of feeding them. "Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little bit," he exclaims (Jn 6:7). Jesus listens respectfully, hoping the disciples will see clearly that their own resources are woefully inadequate.

Jesus helps make the disciples become part of the solution by giving them specific tasks to do: Have the people recline for a meal. Bring me the few loaves and fishes you have. After I’ve said the blessing, pass the food around. Then, gather up the leftovers. And so unfolded one of Jesus’ most memorable miracles as one generous boy’s lunch becomes a feast for thousands.

Whenever you bring problems or needs to the Lord, have faith. The moment you say, "It may be impossible for me, but not for God," you are opening the door to endless, divine possibilities. Believe! Trust! Who knows how the Lord will multiply the "bread" in your hands.

Thursday of the Second Week of Easter

John 3:31-36

"The one who comes from above is above all... whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him."

Belief is certainty that God has shown himself and has opened up for us the view of truth itself. (Pope Benedict XVI) God has shown himself in the different humanity of Peter and the apostles. Their witness moves us to want to obey the God who is trustworthy. If we are men and women of prayer and lead Gospel lives, we will be protected from the powers of evil promised here and in the life to come.