“Living closely united to the Bread of Life – the Most Holy Eucharist!”

(Based on Acts 7:51-8:1a and Jn 6:30-35 – Tuesday of the Third Week in Easter)

Stones flew with terrifying force, striking without mercy.

The mob roared – driven by rage, deaf to reason.
Chaos ruled the moment!

But at the center of it all stood Stephen – unshaken, eyes lifted, heart anchored in heaven.

He was not alone.

In that final hour, as his body weakened, his spirit surged with power – not from within, but from the One he had lived for: Jesus, the Living Bread.

Christ ruled in his heart!

Then it happened – heaven was unveiled.

And there stood the Son of Man – not seated, as Scripture so often says, but standing.

The Eternal High Priest, the Bread come down from heaven…
… rose to welcome the one, who had been nourished by His very self.

Probably, giving a standing ovation!

Jesus stood, for the one who had drawn life from the Eucharist!

Stephen’s strength was not his own.

It was Christ in him – Christ, his food, his fire, his everything.

Such is the power of the Bread of Life: it feeds not just the body…
.. but raises up souls strong enough to make even Heaven rise in honor.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, the Spiritual Dietician…
… exhorting the most important element that is to be part of the “spiritual diet” of everyone who follows Him – the Holy Eucharist – through the “Bread of Life” discourses.

After the feeding of the large multitude of people by the multiplication of the loaves, the people sought Jesus.

Jesus, knew their hearts longed not for Him, but for the bread-giver!

He knew they were following not Him, but the food-provider!

So Jesus sought to put the matters in the right perspective and teaches them about the real food that they should be longing.

It is in this context that Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life; He who comes to me shall not hunger and He who believes in me, shall never thirst” (Jn 6: 35)

Jesus declares Himself as the Bread of Life.

The Greek word that is used here for “bread” is “artos”.

“Artos”….
… refers to food composed of flour mixed with water, and baked.
… also refers to food of any kind or food in general.

As “bread” or “food” is essential for the physical life
… Jesus, “the Bread of life” is required for the spiritual life!

Without bread, physical life would perish….
… Without Jesus, the bread, spiritual life would perish!

In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus offers this “Bread of Life” for us…
… to be our nourishment and strength
… to be our sustenance and energy
… to be our life and forte

What is our disposition and attitude towards Jesus, the “Bread of Life” in the Holy Eucharist?

History is a witness, that through centuries, there have been many saints, both men and women, who have lived for major chunks of their lives, just on the Holy Eucharist.

They would take no food or drink, but ONLY received the Holy Communion, everyday.

A few notable among these saints are…
…. St Catherine of Siena (in the 1350’s….. prior to her death, for seven years, she took no food into her body, except the Holy Eucharist)
… St Nicholas of Flue (lived in Switzerland as a hermit, in the 1400’s… for nearly 19 years, lived without any food, except the Holy Eucharist)
… Blessed Alexandrina da Costa of Portugal (of the 20th century… for the last thirteen years of her life, lived on the Holy Eucharist alone)

Our Lord himself explained to Blessed Alexandrina why He gives this grace to his some of His saints:
“You are to live by the Eucharist alone,” Jesus told her, “because I want to prove to the world the power of the Eucharist and the power of my life in souls.”

This greatest Treasure of Lives – the Holy Eucharist – the Bread of Life…
… eagerly longs for our reception
… keenly awaits for our adoration

As Pope Benedict XVI says,
“In the Sacrament of the Altar, the Lord meets us, men and women created in God’s image and likeness, and becomes our companion along the way.

In this Sacrament, the Lord truly becomes food for us, to satisfy our hunger for truth and freedom.
Since only the truth can make us free, Christ becomes for us the food of truth.”

Shall we not renew our love and commitment to receiving the “Bread of Life” more frequently, more devoutly, more passionately and with greater preparedness?

Shall we not revive our affection and dedication to spend more time with the “Bread of Life” in the Blessed Sacrament…
… to gain strength, to atone for sins and to offer the world for its sanctification and healing?

St Francis de Sales (SFS) beautifully tells us:
“I often speak with my Teacher – Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament – because I can learn from Him.
JESUS IS THE TEACHER OF THE SCIENCE OF HOLINESS!

I go to Him because I would like to learn from Him, how to become a saint!”

Let us live so closely united to the Bread of Life – the Most Holy Eucharist…
… that when our final hour comes, Heaven too will rise to its feet to welcome us.

God Bless! Live Jesus!