PASCHA The Third Week of Easter. Bread of Life

PASCHA The Third Week of Easter Bread of Life Jesus leaves us the Eucharist as the Church s daily remembrance of, and deeper sharing in, the event of his Passover. The joy of evangelizing always arises from grateful remembrance: it is a grace which we constantly need to implore. The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak. Evangelii Gaudium 13, 47

PASCHA Sunday of the Third Week of Easter Stay But they urged him, Stay with us. (Luke 24:29) Have you ever had friends or family over for a visit and their stay seemed too short? Or maybe you were having fun or in a deep conversation and you didn t want it to end. And when they began to leave your reaction was to say, Stay longer. The visit was going so well you just didn t want it to end. We ve probably all had those moments. For the followers of Jesus this is exactly their feeling as they walked beside Jesus. We enter this story in the Gospel of Luke chapter 24, which is after the resurrection of Jesus. Some of his disciples had just discovered that the tomb was empty and were running to tell the others. Word had begun to spread that the tomb was empty and Jesus was nowhere to be found. Jesus approaches a group of people who are conversing about His disappearance. It states, While they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them. At this point in the journey these people still did not recognize who Jesus was. Jesus asks them, What are you discussing? Jesus begins to enter into dialogue with them and they begin to tell Jesus all about what had happened. They basically tell Jesus the whole story about what happened to Him. He never mentions whom He is, He never interrupts, and He never corrects them or cuts them off. Jesus simply listens to them and becomes interested. And although they don t know who Jesus was they invite him to stay with them for the night. What was it about His presence that made them ask? What was it about his face, his stare and his attentiveness that allowed him to mesh right in? What was it about His eyes, His aura, and His love that He was trusted? It states, As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, Stay with us. So what did Jesus do He stayed with them! Just as Jesus was present to those in the Gospel story so is He present to us wanting to converse with us and longing to stay with us. When was the last time you gave Jesus an invitation like they did in the Gospel story and urged him, Stay? What will Jesus do if you ask Him He will stay! Ultimately Jesus stays with them in the Eucharist The Bread of Life. Read Luke 24:15-24. Reflect on the Gospel passage. Try to find yourself in the passage conversing with Jesus. In prayer, ask Jesus to stay with you to talk to you and to be present to you. We once again find ourselves in the story of Emmaus where they recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Find some time to spend in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this week bring a list of people you d like to pray for during your time in Adoration. Pray for each of them by name.

Focus on the word STAY today. Where do you need Jesus to be present to you today? What goes through your mind when you invite Jesus to stay with you? How can you be more present to the Presence of Christ in your life? PASCHA Monday of the Third Week of Easter Endure Do not work for food that perishes but for food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. (John 6:27) Our theme for week 3 is called Bread of Life. Many of the readings this week focus on Jesus and the reality of His presence in the Eucharist. Yesterday we looked at Jesus appearing to the disciples, walking and talking with them, staying with them for dinner, and eventually revealing himself to them in the breaking of the bread. Today we look at some powerful words from Jesus in the Gospel of John chapter 6 where He states, do not work for food that perishes but food that endures. What food is Jesus talking about? When you hear the word endure what comes to mind? Do you think of endurance athletes who race long distances? Do you think of people who have endured hard times and are still moving forward? Do you think of long days at work that you have to endure? The word endure simply means to sustain or to last. However, the word comes from the Latin indurare, which means to harden or to make sold and be firm. The Gospel of John Chapter 6 begins what is known as the bread of life discourse. It is a vital part of Jesus teaching on the Sacrament of the Eucharist. This chapter contains much of our theology and understanding of the Eucharist and the Mass. Of course, Eucharistic theology is woven in and through all of Sacred Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments. However, it is in John chapter 6 that Jesus brings to light the details of His teaching on the Eucharist in the New Covenant. The passage this week begins by people finding Jesus after He had left and went to the other side of the sea. Someone asks Jesus how he got there. Jesus responds by saying, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you at the loaves and were filled. Jesus statement comes not long after he feeds people by multiplying the loaves and fishes. Jesus goes on to say, Do not work for food that perishes but for food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. So what food will endure or indurare? Jesus will endure his life will indurare and his life will be present in the Eucharist the bread of life that food that will be firm for eternal life. Read John 6:25-27. Reflect on the words of Jesus. Reflect on the word endure. Is Jesus a firm and lasting presence in your life? How does Jesus invite you deeper into his life?

Fasting is a wonderful form of prayer. Try to fast one day this week from something. In the place of that something go to Mass and receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Pray for someone you know that is enduring a trial in his/her life. Pray that God will give them the grace to endure. Is your relationship with God firm? Why or why not? How does Jesus promise of the Eucharist help you in your life? What does Jesus want to make solid in your life particularly your spiritual life? PASCHA Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter Never Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. (John 6: 35) We continue today in the Bread of Life Discourse from the Gospel of John Chapter 6. Jesus in verse 35 uses the word never. Never is a pretty bold statement isn t it? Think about the word never when you use it, good or bad, does the word leave any room for doubt? Not really! The word is a forever statement a statement that Jesus uses with great conviction in today s passage. For us never is often a difficult concept to wrap our heads around since we live in the world where everything comes and goes. We can use the word never, but the reality is that the word never for us will always have a bit of doubt in it. We can say we will never say or do something, yet, in the back of our mind there is still a bit of doubt. For Jesus, this simply is not the case when He uses the word never it simply is what it is. It means forever for eternity! In John Chapter 6 Jesus is continuing to speak about the bread of life. There are many Eucharistic themes in the Old Testament that point forward to the New Testament. God fed people with bread or manna. The Old Testament points to the New Testament where everything is fulfilled. Thus the Old Testament points to the New and the New Testament points back to the Old. The two complete each other, however, it is in the New Testament that everything is fulfilled. Jesus states, It was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. Jesus is pointing to the Old Testament knowing that any good Jew would know what He was talking about. Jesus is connecting the Old to the New. He goes on to say, For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Wow, doesn t this sound like something we would want? They say to him, Sir, give us this bread always. They are longing and hungry for what Jesus is asking for. This is where Jesus makes his never statement. Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; whoever come to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. Never! Our world is filled with empty never promises, but we have a God whose never promises are forever. Let us look to Jesus, the bread of life, for everything we long, hunger and thirst for. Read John 6:32-36. Reflect on the powerful words of Jesus. How is Jesus promises of never reside with you? What is Jesus saying to you in the passage?

Since this week is a powerful week to reflect on the Eucharist. Spend some time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and at daily Mass this week. Find a local soup kitchen or food bank to volunteer at or donate to. How is Jesus inviting you deeper this week? How are Jesus words from Scripture challenging you? Where in your life do you need the promise of Jesus to be spoken? PASCHA Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter Thirst And whoever believes in me will never thirst. (John 6:35) We all know what it s like to be thirsty. Thirst is an innate desire built into us. Our body tells us when we need to drink and we do it we don t even have to think about drinking it s just something that comes naturally as our bodies crave it. But what if every time we were thirsty we drank motor oil? Would motor oil quench our thirst? Would motor oil satisfy us or sustain us? Could we live off of motor oil? Silly questions right? We all know that we can t live off of motor oil and that water is what our bodies need to live. Without water we would die! So why is it any different with our spiritual life? If Jesus is the only thing that can sustain us, if He is the only one that can satisfy our thirst and can give us life, why do we consume things other than Him? Why do we look elsewhere? We continue today in the Bread of Life Discourse from the Gospel of John chapter 6. In today s passage Jesus brings to the forefront the reality of the Eucharist and the reality of His life sustaining us. Jesus states, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. Jesus words here are not only bold, but they are true. Jesus is the source of life and he knows that the life he offers is the only life that will keep us from dying of thirst. We are all thirsty we are all longing to drink and we are all looking for something that will quench our thirst. Jesus offers us this drink and this life. Thus, when Jesus makes this promise that we will never thirst he s speaking of his life living inside of us. One of the greatest gifts that Jesus gives us is the gift of Himself in the Eucharist. What appears to be bread and wine is in reality the full presence of the risen Christ. This transformation of the bread and wine (transubstantiation) happens at every Mass through the power of the Holy Spirit (God s life) imparted through the Ordained Priest (Christ Apostle) in the words of Epiclesis (Christ words imparting the Holy Spirit). Why does Jesus do this? Jesus chooses to give us His life so that we can live life to the fullest so that we will never hunger or thirst again. Jesus promises that he will never forsake us. Therefore, He gives us His life to live inside of us through the Holy Spirit and the Sacraments. We are hungry and thirsty and He provides for us exactly what will satisfy us. Jesus is to us like water is to our bodies it s necessary to live! There is no greater spiritual reality then the reality of Christ in the Eucharist. Jesus states, I am the bread of life, whoever believes in my will never thirst. Read John 6:35. Reflect on the reality of Christ words in this passage. What thirst does Jesus desire to quench in your life?

Spend some time in prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament this week. Find a soup kitchen or homeless shelter that you can go and serve people helping to feed the hungry. Invite someone over for diner this week. Be sure to pray before the meal and be a witness of Christ love to them. What are you thirsty for? Do you ever quench your thirst with anything other than Jesus? What tempts you? How can you draw closer to Christ? How can you draw closer to Christ in the Eucharist? PASCHA Thursday of the Third Week of Easter Manna Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. (John 6:49) We continue today in the Bread of Life Discourse from the Gospel of John. In the previous readings this week from John Chapter 6 one could claim that Jesus s proclamation to being the bread of life could be a metaphorical invitation to have faith in Him. However, in today s Gospel, Jesus goes even further with His teaching on the Eucharist to help us understand more in depth the reality of the Eucharist. Jesus states, Your ancestors ate manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. Here Jesus is proclaiming that He is the new manna and that the bread He offers is the Bread of everlasting life. One might say, Isn t this metaphorical? If Jesus is simply using the image of bread as a metaphor then why does he also take bread, break it and change it into his body? Why does he say do this in remembrance of me? Is remember a metaphor? And why does he say that we must eat it? Is eat a metaphor as well? Why does he say, This is my body? Is body a metaphor too? The reality with Jesus teaching in John chapter 6 is that Jesus isn t using metaphorical speech at all he is simply proclaiming reality. And although this reality is difficult to comprehend it doesn t change the reality of what it is. It s important to remember that our lack of understanding, our lack of faith or even our lack of trust doesn t change God s reality and truth. Isn t this great news! It s great news because no matter what our life is like, no matter if we are struggling with faith or not, Jesus is still alive and present to us and even more so He is present to us in the Eucharist. So, Jesus is the New Manna and he proclaims reality to us. He proclaims the reality that if we eat of His bread we will never die. Yes, we will die physically but we will not die spiritually. The New Manna will nourish our souls, quench our hunger, and give us new life forever! Lean in draw near and receive the bread of life! Read John 6:47-51. What sticks out to you in this passage? How are the words of Jesus transforming you? How is the new life that Christ is inviting you into becoming a reality?

Take some time to go to Daily Mass this week. Be attentive to the words at Mass particularly the Eucharistic prayer. Fix dinner for a family and bring it over to them. Write a note with the dinner affirming them and letting them know you love them and are praying for them. How is the reality of the Eucharist transforming you? What is the invitation Jesus is extending to you in prayer thus far this Easter season? How is Jesus inviting you deeper? PASCHA Friday of the Third Week of Easter Remain Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. (John 6:56) Week 3, Day 6 How are you doing thus far in your Easter journey? The Easter season is a long journey, but it is also a powerful, joyful, empowering, inviting, restful and uplifting quest. You may find yourself at this point in the Pascha resource a bit tired. Today, there is a great invitation from Christ for each of us to rest to stay to be and to remain. We continue today from the Gospel of John Chapter 6. In the Bread of Life discourse we reflect on the invitation that Christ offers us. Jesus states, For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Jesus continues his dissertation on the Eucharist. In verse 55 we see Jesus continue to make reference to the reality of His presence (flesh and blood) in the Eucharist and the invitation to eat of it. Jesus goes on to say that anyone who eats and drinks of His flesh and blood remains in Him and He remains in them. What does it mean to remain? In the simplest of explanations to remain means to stay with. Jesus not only gives us an invitation to receive of His true presence but He makes a promise that He will remain with us. Is this not comforting to know? Is Jesus promise to remain with us not something life altering? Have we not realized the reality of Christ presence with us? Have we taken for granted to powerful reality of Jesus being with us? Why is it that we have a difficult time remaining in God? Jesus invitation to remain is something we should consider saying yes to because His presence in our life is exactly what we need to live in freedom. To remain with God means to stay with Him and to be with Him. Thus we are with God and God is with us. Yet, remain goes a bit deeper God is not just by our side he is inside of us. Jesus, through the Eucharist, lives and reigns inside of us. And as Christ draws close to us we hopefully begin to surrender our lives and allow Him to remain there in our heart forever. Read John 6:55-58. What is Jesus speaking to you in this passage? How is the invitation from Christ to remain with Him transforming you?

Spend some time praying the Rosary this week. Reflect on the life of Christ through the lenses of Mary, who remains with Christ forever. Try to remain in prayer a bit longer each day at 5 or 10 minutes to your normal prayer time. Reflect on the reality of remain and allow Jesus to rest with you. Who is God putting on your heart to prayer for? How might you pray for them and also reach out to them? Do you struggle with staying remaining with God? How does Jesus invitation to remain settle with you? What are some obstacles in your life that might keep you from remaining consistently with God? What is Jesus inviting you to surrender to Him this Easter? PASCHA Saturday of the Third Week of Easter Accept Then many of his disciples who were listening said, This saying is hard; who can accept it? (John 6:60) We end this week with the last reflection on the Bread of Life discourse from the Gospel of John Chapter 6. Over the course of this past week we ve looked at the compelling reality of Christ teaching on the Eucharist. This is a teaching that is beautiful yet one that is also a powerful mystery. The word mystery is used a lot when it comes to the issues of faith but it s not a word we should be afraid of. Many people look at the word mystery and seem to think that if they can t fully understand or explain something then it must not be true. Scientists are still trying to explain the mystery of creation does that mean that creation isn t real? Does this mystery mean we aren t alive? No, mystery means that there are things beyond our human understanding. Mystery isn t a missing piece to a puzzle but a reality that there are things that are way beyond us as humans. This is great news but why? Well, imagine that you could explain everything about God his thoughts, his actions, his mind thus basically putting God into complete human understanding. How would that work? Would you rather put God in a box or would you rather believe in a God that is way beyond your human understanding? The reality is that God is way beyond our intellect. Yes, God became one of us. Yes, God loves us and knows us. Yes, Jesus walked this earth to be with us. Yes, there are many things that Jesus reveals to us. Yes, our theology can explain much about God. And yes, God desires to reveal himself to us. God is not hidden from us. However, if we were to contain all of God, our human minds would explode. So what does all of this have to do with today s reflection? Jesus states, This saying is hard; who can accept it? Although the Eucharist is a reality it is also a mystery and a powerful one. The mystery of the Eucharist points us to the reality that we worship a God who can do miracles and who is much bigger than our human abilities. Jesus knows this reality and this mystery and this is why he invites us to accept it. We discussed briefly yesterday about surrendering. What comes first surrendering or accepting? Many people would like to know first then surrender. However, with powerful things of faith, we must surrender first and then our hearts begin to accept the powerful, miraculous, mystery of it all. The invitation for us today is to surrender our hearts and minds so that we can accept the powerful mystery of God in our lives.

Read John 6:60-69. How is Jesus inviting you deeper into conversation? What is He inviting you to accept? Spend time praying the Rosary today reflect on the mystery of the life of Christ. Write out some things about God and faith that you have a difficult time understanding. Read, study, and ask questions about these things. Pray for the grace to surrender and accept even the things that are unexplainable. How is God calling you to reach out to others? Continue to pray and reach out to those people in your life. How is God inviting you deeper into the mystery of faith? What mysteries of faith do you have a difficult time understanding that God is inviting you to surrender to? What is it about mystery that is a powerful invitation to surrender to the powerful reality of God?