HOMILY FOR 3RD WEDNESDAY IN EASTER — YEAR A
HOMILY FOR 3RD WEDNESDAY IN EASTER — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE
BY: Fr. Mike Lagrimas
Acts 8:1-8, Ps. 66:1-7, John 6:35-40
Jesus said to the crowds, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. But I told you that although you have seen [me], you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.”
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The Gospel today is still the continuation of the Bread of Life Discourse of Jesus in Chapter 6 of John’s Gospel. It can be noted that in His presentation of the doctrine on the Eucharist, Jesus does it by stages in order to gradually lay down the important points, and thus be properly understood by His listeners. Up to this stage in His discourse, He is still talking of the Bread of Life in the spiritual sense. He is not yet talking about the sacrament of His Body and Blood.
He declares, “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to Me shall not hunger and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.” He is referring to Himself as the Word of God. He invites His listeners to turn to Him, for His words provide eternal life and salvation.
It can be recalled that, in His encounter with the devil who tempted Him on the mountain, the Lord’s reply to the first temptation was a quote from Deuteronomy 8:2-3, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4). The true bread that gives everlasting life is the Word that comes from God.
Although bread is essential to sustain human life, it has its limitations. It can only sustain the physical body. Ultimately, no matter how abundant it is to a person, bread cannot prevent the natural end of life, which is death. After all, everything in this world is passing away.
Man is both body and soul. While the body is mortal and limited, the soul is immortal. It continues to live even after the body dies. Unfortunately, since the soul is invisible, it is oftentimes taken for granted and neglected. Many people are interested only in material bread, but not in the Bread of Life.
Being God’s masterpiece of creation, made in His image and likeness, and redeemed by the Precious Blood of Jesus, man is destined for life eternal in the heavenly kingdom. This is precisely the reason why Jesus was sent by the Father: to bring God’s children to eternal life. He solemnly declares in the Gospel today, “And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day.”
And the indispensable way to eternal life is the Word of God. This Eternal Word is not something abstract and vague. It is incarnated in Jesus Christ. He is Himself the Incarnate Word of God that sustains unto eternal life. He is the Bread that has come down from heaven: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” As the body needs material bread for sustenance and growth, so also the soul needs the Word of God for nourishment, strength and life. And Jesus earnestly wants to share that Bread, that nourishment for body and soul with everyone: “I will not reject anyone who comes to me.”
Unfortunately, many people could not bring themselves to believe in the words of Jesus. With dismay, He said, “But I told you that although you have seen [me], you do not believe.” This is very sad, indeed, especially considering His solemn declaration: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6).
The world is in disarray because God’s Word – the Truth – is not faithfully proclaimed, believed and obeyed. Lies, half-truths and fake news inundate the world. These are all meant to muddle, and eventually bury, the truth. As a result, there is confusion, conflicts and divisions among peoples and communities. There is no peace. Pope St. John XXIII said, “All the evils that poison men and nations, and trouble so many hearts have a single cause and a single source: ignorance of the truth.”
The Truth is no other than Jesus Christ. This is because He is the Eternal Word of God. He is the Bread of Life. He alone can give us eternal life and happiness.
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