The Living Bread From Heaven

Weekly Missionary Reflection
Sunday, 11 June 2023
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Deut. 8:2-3,14b-16a; Ps. 147:12-13,14-15,19-20; 1Cor. 10:16-17; Jn. 6:51-58

 It was told that Moses led the people of Israel to leave Egypt. It was a difficult and hard journey. 40 years of wandering. In the hope of freedom, they had to suffer from no food and starvation. They became inpatient, furious and grumbling. Indeed, whenever a food crisis or starvation happens, it will trigger aggression in humanity.

The people of Israel would definitely be shocked to find themselves in the wilderness, a scary, hot, dry and barren desert. They didn’t expect to face another adversity after being free from slavery. Pan of meat and abundance of bread changed to quail in the evening and manna from heaven, God’s gift. And, it could only be consumed on that day, gathered as much as each needed to eat, and couldn’t leave it over until the next morning (cf. Exo. 16:13-21). What lesson was the Lord would teach those people?

Moses explained God’s meaning and purpose: “To humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart: whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deut. 8:2). The word of “to humble” and “to test you” are also found in another verse (cf. Deut. 8:16). How did hunger relate to humility? And why did God need to test the people of Israel?

In the crisis of food and water (=life), could the Israelites keep their faith that the Lord would not abandon them? In such a hopeless situation, they had no choice, but fed according to the Lord’s will and way. They had to let go of their desire and follow His will. In order to follow His will, we have to bow, humble and let the reigning God takes control.

The Israelites were not allowed to keep the meal. That’s the second command, a difficult test. In the midst of an uncertain tomorrow and future, they had to fully believe in the Lord’s plan. Despite of the difficult test, it’s said that prosperity would be given in the end (cf. Deut. 8:16). We are often faced with such test too. In the midst of uncertainty in life, can we surrender our lives and be confident in His plan, and keep following His commands?

God not only rained down the manna from heaven to the Israelites, but even He gave the Living Bread from heaven, His only Son to us, to be our food. Human life is dependent on food supply. However it’s not only the physical food, as we have another kind of life to strive. “… it is not by bread alone that people live, but by all that comes forth from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:3).

Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (Jn. 6:51). By giving His body and blood, Jesus gives us life and receives us in the communion with Him. A sign that Jesus is always present and lives His people. We receive the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist. The purpose of the Eucharist is “the communion of humanity and Christ, and the communion of Father and Holy Spirit in Christ” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, no. 22). By centering on Christ through Eucharist, we will grow and gain eternal life.  “This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (Jn. 6:58).

We are all called to grow in missionary consciousness together as the people, Temple of God and the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic family of God in the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.

(Budi Ingelina – Pontifical Mission Society Indonesia)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with St. Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church of this month:

For church movements and groups
We pray that Church movements and groups may rediscover their mission of evangelization each day, placing their own charisms at the service of needs in the world.

For the wisdom of Mary
We pray that the mothers and women be willing to imitate Mother Mary, to be patient, wise, willing to sacrifice, and believe that the Lord will make the impossible possible for the life of their children and society.

Amen