A WORD FOR TODAY 1 AUGUST

A WORD FOR TODAY

JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE

_[Jesus said to them:] “The bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:33-35)_

_*On this eighteenth Sunday in the ordinary time, year B, we continue our reflections centered on the Eucharist: the source and summit of our faith as Catholics, based on the Eucharistic discourse of John chapter 6.*_

_On this Sunday, -the second out of the five dedicated Sundays centered on John chapter 6 - we hear Jesus proclaim that He is the Bread of Life, who dispels hunger and thirst in those who come to him. This, more or less, puts the ball on our court, Jesus has already offered himself and given himself, all we need to do is to draw near and receive him._

_*The providence of God is beyond our expectations and surpasses all understanding. Just as we see in the first reading from Exodus, he provided manna for the children of Israel during their sojourn in the desert. The manna was only a prefigurement of the Eucharist, as Jesus explains in the gospel that the Father gives the true bread from heaven which gives life to the world.*_

_The onus lies on us to take Jesus at his word and believe that he is truly the bread of life and he gives himself to us in the Eucharist. The catechism teaches us that the Holy Eucharist is the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, together with his soul and divinity under the appearance of bread and wine. The Eucharist has the power to transform us and by its power we become the new man St. Paul speaks about in the second reading, the new man conformed to the image of Christ and created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness._

_*We must wash our hands clean and purify our hearts if we are to partake in the Eucharist, and we must do so in order to reap the benefits thereof. Jesus is the Bread of Life, all who receive him will never hunger, all who believe in him will never thirst. Receive him today and believe in him with all your heart.*_

_Good morning my dearest one. I hope you slept well and ready to begin your day with the Lord? I wish you a happy new month and may this new month bring you many more reasons to smile ☺ and to praise God. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Exodus l6:2-4.12-15/Ps 78:3, 4, 23-25, 54/Ephesians 4:17, 20-24/John 6:24-35

*Watch-Word:* The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

*The Lord has given himself to us in the Eucharist, the source of life and grace, do not hesitate to receive him worthily and in a state of grace.*

(Eighteenth Sunday in ordinary time. Cycle B)