Receiving Jesus as the Living Bread

Weekly Missionary Reflection
19th Ordinary Sunday, 11 August 2024
1Kgs 19:4-8; Ps. 34:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9; Eph. 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51

Today we are invited to ponder Jesus’ saying that we often hear: “I am the living bread”. As we know, bread is our daily food and is one of human’s basic needs. Without food, humans won’t live long. In the Scripture, we read several stories about the miracle of food. Like the story of the manna in the desert and Jesus multiplying the bread and feeding thousands of people. Jesus would like to use the parable of bread to describe the true meaning of His presence in this world. Unfortunately, not all who hear it can understand. 

The reason some people follow Jesus is for His miracle. However, Jesus did not come to this world to make miracles. Jesus said He’s the bread that came down from heaven and whoever eats it will live forever. He was referring to Himself who would be sacrificed on the cross. Eating the living bread is receiving and believing in Jesus as the God who transformed into a human, believing that God’s love surpasses everything. God’s love is not to eliminate the suffering in this world like multiplying the bread so there will be no more hunger.

 Jesus’ followers can not accept this fact. Therefore, Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him …”. For this saying, we should give thanks for the faith that the Father grants us. This faith enables us to receive Jesus as the Living Bread and strive to become the bread for others. Faith that enables us to see God’s love amid the chaos of the world and the uncertainties of life. Faith is what makes us able to keep loving despite life being unfair.

Dear beloved sisters and brothers, let’s be grateful for the grace of faith that was granted to us and continue to humbly ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to enable us to persevere in faith, hope, and love. God bless. 

(Br. Kornelius Glossanto, SX – Xaverian Missionary)

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

Universal Church Intent: For political leaders
We pray that political leaders be at the service of their people, working for integral human development and the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their jobs.

Indonesian Church Intent: Empowerment of low-income families
We pray that the parishes are enabled to raise the empowerment of low-income families with concrete steps, like providing cooperative services, imparting financial management, and increasing entrepreneurial spirit.

Amen.