I am Bread
Reading: John 6:35-40
“I am the bread of life.”
John, in the “I am” sayings, has given us some unforgettable pictures of our life with Jesus. The larger context for today’s reading includes the feeding of the five thousand.
There are two important words in this saying. The first is bread. The staple food in every country of the world is some form of bread. Those who can obtain it have physical life; those who cannot, die of hunger. Such food is a necessity.
The spiritual food which Jesus can give is also a basic necessity, but people do not always recognize their need for it. Jesus tells us that without trust in him there is no real life. Taking Jesus into our lives sustains our hearts as physical bread frees our bodies.
The second word is life. What is the difference between existence and life? Existence is hopelessly going through the motions of being a human being. Life brings peace and contentment, loving relationships, and satisfying service. It is eternally spent in the presence of God. We can only have life through Jesus Christ through whom we have a fulfilling relationship with God.
For Reflection: Am I living or just existing?
Prayer Seed:
Bread of the world in mercy broken,
Wine of the soul in mercy shed,
By whom the words of life were spoken,
And in whose death our sins are dead:
Look on the heart by sorrow broken,
Look on the tears by sinners shed;
And be Thy feast to us the token
That by Thy grace our souls are fed.
Reginald Heber (1783-1826)
