3rd Week of Easter : Wednesday 26th April 2023

Meditating on the words of Jesus gives us a sense of consolation and gratitude that as long as we believe in Jesus, the promise of eternal life is assured.

Today’s Gospel passage follows after Jesus spoke on the bread of God, which came down from heaven and gave life to the world (Jn.6: 32-33).

When the crowd asked for this bread, Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life” (Jn 6:35). So Jesus is the true gift of God who came down from heaven to offer nourishment for eternal life.
“Everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life.” (Jn. 6:40). This life is new, the very life God lives in eternity.

Using the image of bread and nourishment, Jesus spoke of Himself as the one able to give this new life! This is celebrated in the Eucharist today. The real presence of Jesus lives on in the community so that disciples of all time continue to experience Him and make their commitment to Him. This “bread of life from heaven” is offered to all generations and is truly the gift of nourishment for eternity.

As reflected in the first reading, we see Paul persecuting the Church. Yet the Spirit led the scattered apostles to continue to preach the Good News. They went about proclaiming Jesus Christ and performed miraculous signs. The number of witnesses multiplied, and the territory covered was greatly expanded.

Lord, may the power of the Resurrected Christ be shared with all. Amen.