"Bread of Life"

Jesus promises that those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst spiritually,

Fulfillment in Christ comes from knowing one is loved unconditionally and secure in their identit.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 8:1b-8

All, except the apostles,

Were scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria.

Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.

Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church.

He entered house after house and dragged off men and women, and had them put in jail.

 

At the same time, those who were scattered went about, preaching the word.

Philip went down to a town of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there.

All the people paid close attention to what Philip said as they listened to him,

and saw the miraculous signs that he did. For, in cases of possession,

the unclean spirits came out shrieking loudly. Many people,

who were paralyzed or crippled, were healed. So there was great joy in that town.

 

Ps 66:1-3a, 4-5, 6-7a

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 6:35-40

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall never be hungry,

and whoever believes in me shall never be thirsty. Nevertheless, as I said,

you refuse to believe, even when you have seen.

Yet all those whom the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me,

I shall not turn away. For I have come from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of the One who sent me.

 

And the will of him who sent me is that I lose nothing of what he has given me,

but instead that I raise it up on the last day. This is the will of the Father,

that whoever sees the Son and believes in him shall live eternal life; and I will raise him up on the last day."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Jesus as the source of true and lasting fulfillment.

Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry,

and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." This statement reveals Jesus

as the source of true and lasting fulfillment, offering not only physical sustenance

but also spiritual nourishment that leads to eternal life. His mission, sent by the Father,

is to ensure that all who approach him in faith will never be cast out and will be raised on the last day.

 

We are challenged to trust Jesus as the sustainer of our souls and the key to eternal life.

In a world that often seeks satisfaction in material wealth, success,

or fleeting pleasures, Jesus reminds us that only faith in Him

can truly fulfill the deepest hunger of the human heart.

We are also invited to deepen our relationship with Christ by embracing His teachings

and living out our faith. In doing so, we not only receive eternal life

but also become witnesses of His life-giving love to others.