The Bread of Life - Part 1
May 6, 2025 - Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
John 6:30-35
We live in a time when the world offers us many things that promise fulfillment—fame, success, technology, entertainment, and material wealth. Social media, gaming, and consumer culture constantly bombard us with messages that say, “If you have this, you will be happy.” Yet, many of us experience a deep sense of emptiness despite having so much. There is a hunger that cannot be satisfied by more likes, more achievements, or even the latest trends.
In today’s Gospel, the crowd asks Jesus for a sign so they can believe in Him. They remind Him that their ancestors ate manna in the desert, a miraculous bread from heaven. But Jesus shifts their focus away from temporary satisfaction to something deeper. He tells them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
For us as Catholic Christians, Jesus’ words immediately remind us of the Eucharist. Think of how bread is made. It starts with individual grains of wheat scattered in the fields. These grains are gathered together, ground, mixed, and formed into one loaf. This one loaf is then taken, blessed, broken, and shared. The bread, once ordinary, is transformed into the very presence of Christ and given to us as food for our souls.
Jesus as the Bread of Life means that He is the one who can satisfy our deepest hunger—for love, for meaning, for purpose. Every time we receive the Eucharist, we are reminded that we are not alone, that we are loved, and that our lives have direction. The world tells us that we must constantly achieve, but Jesus tells us: Come, receive, be filled. Jesus invites to slow down, to be nourished, and to be transformed. Moreover, just as bread is broken to be shared, we too are called to be people who give of ourselves — spreading love, kindness, and faith in a world that is starving for true meaning.
So the next time you feel restless, overwhelmed, or empty, remember this: Jesus is waiting for you. Not in another distraction, not in another temporary fix, but in the Eucharist, where He offers His very self. He alone is the bread that gives life to the world. Will you come to Him and be fed?