“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.” (John 6:51).  

 

The major theme for this Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time continues last Sunday’s theme  focusing on the Bread of Life that comes down from heaven. Our Lord wants to give this to us to satisfy our deepest hunger for spiritual sustenance more than our need for physical food. 

 

The Consecrated Hosts, the Blessed Sacrament, the Holy Eucharist, is the essence of the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of the Christian life. The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving.

 

The Lord Jesus, on the night before he suffered on the cross, shared one last meal with his disciples. During this meal our Savior instituted the sacrament of his Body and Blood, to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the ages, and to entrust to the Church a memorial of his death and resurrection. The Institution of the Eucharist is mentioned in Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-20; and John 6:22-59 (The Bread of Life Discourse). 

 

Today’s readings provide us another opportunity to continue our reflection on the gift of the Holy Eucharist, the Bread of Life that comes down from heaven to save, feed and strengthen us on our journey, to draw us ever closer to Jesus Christ to gain the eternal life. 

 

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, how can we appreciate, accept the “Bread of Life” of Jesus, the Holy Eucharist and be totally united with Him?

 

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.