Sunday Gospel Reflection
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
John 6:41-51
Jesus, the Bread of Life
Josie Gonzales
“I am the bread that came down from heaven…I am telling you the truth: he who believes has eternal life… The bread that I will give you is my flesh, which I give so that the world may live.” (John 6:41, 47, 51)
Christ Jesus tells us in today’s GOSPEL, “Ako ang Tinapay ng Buhay.” “I am the Bread of Life.”
When Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of five loaves and two fish, two things happened: He fed the multitude who followed Him to satisfy their hunger and nourish them physically. He also fed them spiritually—the faithful were there hungry to listen to His Word.
Gutom tayo sa Salita ng Diyos. Paggising sa umaga, marami sa atin ay nakikinig sa “AlmuSalita” ni Fr. Luciano Felloni ng Diocese of Novaliches. Ang iba naman ay nakikinig sa programang “Kape at Salita” ni Bro. Bo Sanchez. But with this pandemic turning from bad to worse, coupled with ECQ lockdown restrictions in the next two weeks, many of us Catholics have no recourse but to tune in to TV channels and other platforms to attend virtual Mass, pray the Holy Rosary, and listen to the Word of God. Yes, in these trying times, it is a narrow road, a small window on our way to worship, on our pilgrimage to eternal life. But shouldn’t we remember the Lord said “I am with you till the end of time, in good times and bad”?
Kung kasama natin ang Panginoon sa hirap at ginhawa, bakit tayo mag-aalala? Bakit tayo mangangamba? Bakit tayo mababalisa at panghihinaan ng loob sa nararanasan nating hirap ngayong lockdown? Ito ba ay sa dahilang sa materyal na bagay tayo nabubuhay? Sa tinapay na nakalapag sa mesa? Saan sa buhay natin ang “Bread of Life”, si Hesus na siyang tumubos sa ating mga kasalanan? Hindi ba ang materyal ay panandalian lamang? At ang “Tinapay ng Buhay” ay walang hanggan? Pagnilayan natin ito.
The Lord said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Ang ibig sabihin ng talatang ito ay kumilos tayo. Kausapin natin ang Panginoon dahil hindi niya tayo pinapabayaan. Tayo ang nakalilimot—nakalilimot magpasalamat sa mga biyaya, nakalilimot humingi ng tawad, nakalilimot magdasal, at magbigay ng tulong sa kapwa.
There is nothing in this world that will bring us eternal joy but seeing God in everything and in everyone.
Jesus is the “Bread of Life”—our life support, our spiritual nourishment, the sustenance of mind, body, soul and spirit. “Bread” symbolizes Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and is a reminder of His suffering and death to save man. At Mass, when the host is raised during its consecration, do we “see” Him? His suffering and death? Do we feel His presence in our hearts? What is the scenario that rolls out during this most holy moment? Do we see the Father and His love for us and say “thank you”? Let us pause for a moment and think about this.
The Lord gives of Himself in the form of bread so we may have the strength and courage to face our trials and sufferings, so we may feel His presence in the daily grind, so we may be cleansed of impurities and live a prayerful life.
As He gives of Himself, let us emulate the Divine Healer and Great Provider, our Saviour, by being the “bread of life”, most especially, to those who have touched our lives. Even better, to the homeless, the sick, the streetsweeper, the garbage collector, delivery rider to whom many of us turn a blind eye. Food for thought, hindi ba?
As “bread of life”, financial help is the greatest gift we can give to those most affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Kumikilos ako hindi para ipakita; it is not an outward show but a deepening faith in God that, indeed, HE is present in everything and in everyone
I see “Jesus” in Christy, my late mother’s grave caretaker at the Loyola cemetery, who lost her father in an accident and a son to illness, nasunugan ng tirahan at nabaha ang lugar—lahat ito, ngayong pandemic, truly an experience too painful to bear.
Si Nida na isang mananahi ng franchisee na “Alterations” pero nagsara pansamantala dahil sa COVID-19 at ginamit niya ang kanyang talento sa pananahi ng mga facemask. Since last year when the crisis began, I order 150-200 masks a month to share with delivery riders who risk their lives and health to earn a living. Yet, some of them are victims of scammers who order food and other items but cancel out or do not pay. Mga “isang kahig, isang tuka” na pinagsasamantalahan. What an injustice!
Tess, my reflexologist who cannot do home service yet but is a creative cook who needed a refrigerator so she could sell food. We got a second-hand refrigerator for her food business. She is now self- supporting.
Anita, in her 70’s, still sells memorial plans. With culinary experience, she makes muffins and cooks peanuts. She stands in a gas station and drive thru Mcdo outlet where car riders buy the peanuts. She makes 200 pesos a day from peanuts. She told me she needed a Super Kalan gas stove to cook so she does not have to share LPG expense for using her daughter’s stove who lives next door.
Of course, let us not forget our church, our priests, and the staff who continue serving through virtual masses, who continue activities for weddings, baptisms, funerals, wakes, anointing of the sick—difficult as it may be, because of present health restrictions imposed by government.
Let us remember that they are God’s representatives in this world to constantly remind us that Jesus is the BREAD OF LIFE, the only route to the Almighty Father and eternal bliss in heaven. Let us generously support them.
Ang tinapay sa hapag kainan ay madaling maubos o kaya ay inaamag. Si Hesus, ang “Tinapay ng Buhay”, ay buhay na walang hanggan. Saan tayo? Pagnilayan natin ito.
A blessed Sunday to all!
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Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash
