Reflection for Friday May 9 of the Third Week of Easter: John 6:52-59

Gospel: John 6:52-59

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.

For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

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Reflection:

The story is told about a man who was on the verge of death and was already gasping for breath. His doctors told his relatives that it was just a matter of minutes before he would expire. In such a situation, relatives and close friends would understandably feel helpless and forlorn.

But no—we will not feel helpless if we know that the person on his deathbed is a frequent Holy Mass-goer, and if we know that he is regularly nourished by the Body of Christ during Holy Communion.

This is because we believe, to the core of our being, in the proclamation of Jesus: that whoever eats His Flesh and drinks His Blood has eternal life.

We hold on to this assurance from Jesus, and we feel and believe it as we receive His Body and Blood during Holy Communion. But not everyone is aware of this Bread of Life—none other than Jesus Himself.

It is therefore our responsibility to echo this gift of life from Jesus so that many may be enlightened and saved. Let us not become hearers only; let us also become sharers of this Good News.

Will you share what you know about Jesus, our Bread of Life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas