Dear Friends,

For the third week we continue to hear and reflect on the Bread of Life Discourse, from Chapter 6, of the Gospel of John.  To recap, two weeks ago John recounted the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves, the starting point for this discourse.  In Eucharistic tones, we heard of Jesus’ care for the hunger of the crowds.  Last week, we heard Jesus’ transition from physical hunger, to the other hungers of life, telling the crowds that not only could He satisfy those hungers, but also that He, Himself, in His Person, was the satisfaction of those hungers. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus moves the crowd a little further.  When the crowd murmurs, grumbles in other translations, Jesus reminds them they must “all be taught by God.”  Significant words for them, and for us as well.  So, the Gospel today asks you a question – who teaches you?  You and I know our education didn’t end when we got that diploma from high school, or college or graduate school.  It continues every day.  We live in the Information Age.  I just heard on the radio this morning that newspapers are failing because most people get their information now from the Internet, not even from broadcast media anymore. 

So, once again – who teaches you?  The Internet?  CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX? The Times, The Post?  THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST?  Be careful how you answer.  Because if you say the Gospel, I will ask, how?  Do you read the Pope’s encyclicals, or let others tell you what they say?  Scripture commentaries, to help you understand what the sacred writings are telling you?  Catholic publications of any kind?  The TODAY’S READINGS feature that appears weekly in the bulletin?  Do you really try to listen to the homily and try to apply it to your life’s situations?  The second part of the last question is really key – do you take what you know and try to apply it to your life’s situation and decisions?  The Gospels are not just stories, narratives about the life of this man, Jesus, they are also a program of living, but if we don’t live by these Gospel values, how can we say we are “taught by God”?  Our weekly celebrations of the Eucharist provide us the opportunity to be “taught by God.”

Continuing along in His teaching, Jesus makes reference once again to the manna, the food God used to sustain the Israelites as they wandered in the desert.  This point is reinforced by the story of the prophet Elijah, in today’s 1st Reading.  Elijah was on the run, fleeing for his life from the revenge of the Queen.  But he had had enough.  He was ready to throw in the towel.  Done.  Finished.  So God sends him bread, not once but twice.  Bread to strengthen him, to sustain him because he still had work to do.  The bread Jesus will give is better than that bread.  The bread He gives is Himself, but for the same purpose, to strengthen us for the journey, until our journey is over.  Have you ever come to the Eucharist tired, full of doubts, overwhelmed with the circumstances of life?  And have you seen in that little small wafer the answer you need, the strength you need – the God you need?  Why not?  Jesus is telling you that’s why He gives it. 

And that answer is in the bread which is His flesh and blood.  That’s how the Gospel ends today, with more to follow next week.

God Bless,
Fr. Ron