As we make the homestretch on the Bread of Life discourse in John Ch. 6, let’s reflect on the meaning of the word “life or living” as used by Christ in this gospel passage. Why does Jesus address himself as the living bread? What does the word, “living” represent in our own lives? How can we make this living bread available to others? First, the emphasis on “life” or “living” shows up several times in just seven verses of John Ch. 6: 51-58. Here you go:
"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." "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."
In a sense, it may appear repetitive, but Jesus emphasizes the significance of "life giving" as strategic in the bread that he gives to his followers. The profundity of what they are receiving, bread from heaven, bread given by the living Father, and bread of eternal life speaks to the source of this food as unique. This bread is both distinct and sacred. It is flesh and blood of the Son of Man, true food and true drink. It is not like any other food they know of or have eaten, not even like what their ancestors ate in the desert. The Father gives this food from heaven. The Son becomes this food for the world. The Father and the Son send us the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom through this food. We are to seek it with all our hearts. Those who feed on this food are inspired to continue the mission of Jesus and to union with the Father in eternity.
The authors of the Word Among Us ministry gave a powerful instance of this food using the life of Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, arrested and thrown into Vietnamese prison in 1975. Understanding the power of the bread of life, the Bishop’s family mailed him a bottle labeled “medicine” which actually contained mass wine and small pieces of the hosts. These sustained the bishop for nine years he spent in prison. Here is the bishop’s testimony:
“The six Catholics in my group of fifty prisoners… slept close together in order to be able to pray during the night. At nine-thirty every evening…, I bent over my wooden board and celebrated Mass, by heart of course, and distributed Communion to my neighbors under their mosquito nets. We made tiny bags from cigarette paper to protect the Blessed Sacrament… My Catholic companions took advantage of the break to pass around the Blessed Sacrament to other groups. Jesus Christ was at work, curing physical and mental suffering. Many of the others who had lost their faith came back during those days. The Blessed Sacrament helped tremendously. Even Buddhists and other non-Christians were converted. The strength and love of Jesus is irresistible. The darkness of the prison turned into light, the seed germinated silently in the storm… They were the most beautiful Masses of my life.” (Taken from the Road to Hope)
Mark those words, “The darkness of the prison turned into light, the seed germinated silently in the storm…” There cannot be any more difficult, dark, tough place to be than in prison. The prison is a symbol of loss, isolation, and misery -family, freedom, peace, future, and any other desired form of connection is forcefully taken away. The experience of Cardinal Nguyen invokes the power and strength from the Eucharist to radiate life and hope amidst darkness and sadness. In the Blessed Eucharist Jesus turns every darkness into light. He makes the seed of hope to germinate.
Recently, I have been reflecting on how the Blessed Eucharist connects members of the mystical body of Christ all over the world. As I witness to the missionary spirit among believers in the United States, it becomes clearer that Christ is the life of the world. Here’s something to reflect upon: Why would believers form groups to support the less privileged in distant countries that they know not? For instance, Catholic members in America are growing in the practice of forming ministries that do outreach to the poor and less privileged in underdeveloped and developing countries. They unite to carry out mission to the homeless and orphans in places like Africa, Haiti, Jamaica, North America, and other places. Groups like Mustard Seed, Catholics Beyond Border, Family Apostolate, Hope For All, etc, are springing up in their numbers. What drives these outreaches is beyond physical interest. It is the Blessed Eucharist, the bread from heaven. Jesus strengthens members of His mystical body, who in turn provide hope and life to those in need. Most of these missionary activities are carried out without seeking any reward or publicity. When these outreach ministries visit places such as Africa, they give up their comforts for the sake of Christ. They celebrate the Eucharist with these poor and marginalized. They raise funds in humility, putting aside shame. They subject themselves to begging, irrespective of the ignominy that sometimes is associated with such. The only reason to explain such connections is strength and joy that comes from the Bread of Life.
Jesus says today, “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” The flesh and blood of Jesus is food that provides inner strength, support, and nourishment. Those who eat and drink of the body and blood are inspired in mysterious ways. They become missionary disciples who give life to others. This food from heaven sustained Cardinal Nguyen for nine years in prison. He became the source of strength and hope to other prisoners through the Eucharist. The Eucharist unites members of the mystical body of Christ in ministry. Through this food, we become what we consume, holy and missionary disciples after the mind of Christ. We possess the vision of Christ, inspiring in others love and hope for the future. Unlike any other food that we eat or any other drink that we drink, conformity with Jesus in the Blessed Eucharist is the source of our lives in this world and in the world to come.
READINGS: 1ST- PROV. 9:1-6; 2ND- EPH. 5:15-20; GOSPEL- JN. 6:51-58
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