TODAYS REFLECTION 3RD WEEK OF EASTER THUR APRIL 14

TODAYS REFLECTION 3RD WEEK OF EASTER  THUR APRIL 14 ( Acts 8:26-40, Jn 6:44-51  )

Friends,  the readings today identify Jesus as the fulfillment of salvation history. The passage from the Acts of the Apostles presents the call of Philip to bring an understanding of Scripture to the Ethiopian. The Gospel shows Jesus as the Bread of Life. It follows in the same chapter as the miracles of the multiplication of the loaves and of Jesus walking on water. Both are passages that focus on bringing clarification. The Psalm centers on thanksgiving for deliverance at the hands of God.

Beloved, the manna from heaven prefigured the superabundance of the unique bread of the Eucharist or Lord's Supper which Jesus gave to his disciples on the eve of his sacrifice. The manna in the wilderness sustained the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land. It could not produce eternal life for the Israelites. The bread which Jesus offers his disciples sustains us not only on our journey to the heavenly paradise, it gives us the abundant supernatural life of God which sustains us for all eternity.

To refuse Jesus is to refuse eternal life, unending life with the Heavenly Father. To accept Jesus as the bread of heaven is not only life and spiritual nourishment for this world but glory in the world to come. The Lord has much more for us, more than we can ask or imagine. The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist or Lord's Supper is an intimate union with Christ. May we always hunger for the bread which comes from heaven and find in it the nourishment and strenght. Be blessed.