“May Jesus, the Bread of Life, always be the source, strength and summit of our Christian living!”

(Based on Acts 8:1b-8 and Jn 6:35-40 – Wednesday of the Third Week in Easter)

A story is told about a pilot who always looked down intently on a certain valley…
… when the plane passed overhead.

One day his co-pilot asked, “What’s so interesting about that spot?”

The pilot replied: “See that stream?

Well, when I was a kid I used to sit down there on a log and fish.

Every time an airplane flew over, I would look up and wish I were flying…
… now I look down and wish I were fishing.”

There is a deep craving for satisfaction and fulfilment, inside every creature,
One is restless till this thirst is fulfilled…
One is impatient till this craving is satisfied…

This ‘longing’ is innate in every human being…
… a thirst for the Divine, for the Transcendental.

This ‘longing’ compels humans…
… to search… to seek…
… for the source of satisfaction
… for the fountain of fulfilment

But how wonderful it would be to be knowing and to be convinced that this “thirst” can find its fulfilment only in God.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus promising this fulfilment and contentment to all those who come to Him and believe in Him – the Bread of Life.

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)

The crowds who had been fed by Jesus, by the miracle of the multiplication of loaves, came in search of Jesus…
… probably expecting more!

They wanted still more… and they express this to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always” (Jn 6:34)

In John Chapter 4, we read the story of the Samaritan woman, by the well of Jacob, who had also expressed a similar desire.

She said to Jesus “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water” (Jn 4: 15)

Each of us, deep within, are ‘longing’…
… to drink water and eat food that will quench the longing, forever.

It is this search that makes people to go out and seek the various sources of satisfaction.

Some feel to have found this fulfilment…
… through worldly pleasures and bad habits like smoking, drinking, obsession with sex, drugs etc, which only lead to momentary external satisfaction and short-lived bursts of thrill.

Some feel to have found this fulfilment…
… in the various philosophies, new-age patterns of life and naturalistic means of spirituality etc, which may have traces of truth, but fail to provide authentic and fullness of life.

The Book of the Acts of the Apostles records one such notable example of Saul.

Saul (who is also called Paul) failed to understand and grasp “The Truth” and persecuted all those who followed “The Way!”

“But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.” (Acts 8:3)

But Jesus, today, boldly and unambiguously declares that it’s only in HIM that true and complete fulfilment of life can be found:
“He who comes to me shall not hunger and he who believes in me shall never thirst” (Jn 6: 35)

Are we convinced of this fact, that it’s only in Jesus, that I can achieve true and complete happiness…?

The Lord, today, calls us back to Him…
… to His Heart
… to His Church
… to His Eucharist
… to experience Him fully.

To those who have strayed…
… the call of the Gospel, is to come back to the paths of truth

To those who are holding on to Him…
… the call of the Gospel, is to deepen the conviction, that in Him alone, can the hunger of my soul and the thirst of my heart be fulfilled.

To those who have strayed…
… the Lord invites to build the virtues of humility, docility and openness to the Spirit.

To those who are holding on to Him…
… the Lord invites to build the virtues of patience, firm trust and a passionate longing.

May Jesus, the Bread of Life, always be the source, strength and summit of our Christian living!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“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!

“Living our lives in the grandeur of Jesus and His Everlasting Kingdom!”

(Based on Acts 6:8-15 and Jn 6:22-29 – Monday of the Third Week in Easter)

In a quiet village nestled amidst rolling hills, there was talk of a mysterious garden hidden deep in the forest.

Legends whispered that this garden held a secret so profound…
… that it could grant anyone who found it boundless joy and fulfillment.

One brave soul, a young shepherd named Lucas, decided to embark on a quest to find this elusive garden.

Armed with determination and a map passed down through generations…
… Lucas set off into the unknown.

Days turned into weeks as Lucas journeyed through dense forests, crossed roaring rivers, and climbed towering mountains.

Doubts crept into his mind, wondering if the garden was just a myth.

Just when he was about to give up…
… he stumbled upon a clearing bathed in golden sunlight.

In the center stood a magnificent tree with leaves that shimmered like emeralds.

Approaching the tree, Lucas discovered a small wooden chest nestled among its roots.

With trembling hands, he opened it and found a simple note inside.

“True happiness,” the note read, “is not a destination but a journey.

It is found in moments of kindness, love, and gratitude shared along the way.”

With newfound clarity, Lucas realized that the real treasure was not the garden itself…
… but the lessons he learned and the experiences he gained during his quest.

How often we also lose our focus
… interested only in worldly pleasures…
… and rejecting offers for eternal treasures and heavenly happiness

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus inviting and exhorting them to seek for higher and heavenly longings in life…
“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn 6: 27)

The people had witnessed Jesus’ great miracle of the multiplication of loaves.
Their hunger had been satisfied.
Their appetites had been gratified.

In Jesus, they found a person who was able to answer the bodily needs.

The people desired to crown Him as their King!

Is this not a trend in our society as well?

How often are the bread-givers and money-makers held in high esteem, even in our days…
… at the expense of people who are unable contribute much or do much work.

Think of the aged, the sick, the invalids in our own houses, communities and societies, who are unable to work or contribute anything materially…
How often do we neglect them!
How often do we put them down!
How often do we call them as useless!

We sometimes glorify people based only their work, their position and their activities…

The “being” of a person is often neglected
… only the “doing” of a person is exalted!
The “essence” of a person is often not given value
… only the “work” of a person is given credit!

But Jesus refrains from being a victim to this mentality of the society.

He refuses to be their “Bread-Boss!”
He rejects to being their “Materialistic-Messiah!”

And so when people, come to Him, Jesus recognizes their motive in seeking Him…
… and He chides them saying: “Amen, Amen, I say to you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs but you ate the loaves and were filled.

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn 6: 26-27)

The Lord seeks to lead the people to desire and long for the higher realities of life.

And this is the wish of the Lord for each one of us too, that we…
… be interested not only in worldly affairs; rather, we be more attracted to the heavenly realms
… be busy not only with gathering earthly satisfactions; but, we accept and embrace more of heavenly happiness

It is true that “to the hungry one, food and other material wants demand higher urgency”

But having said this…
… one must also be willing to accept, that beyond these material aspects, the human person has greater needs – on a spiritual sense – towards the transcendental realities!

What is needed therefore, is a proper prioritizing…

Does God and the Heavenly realities mean more to me, than earthly desires?
Does Jesus and His Virtues occupy primal position in my life, than the worldly values?

A true prioritizing and firm conviction alone can help us to be the true witnesses of Jesus, the Messiah.

Jesus is our model and example, Who, in His life, accorded the first and primal place to God and His Will.

The lives of the saints and the martyrs are also proof for this fact.

In the Acts of the Apostles, 6:8-15, we read of how St Stephen, the first Martyr of the Church, “was filled with grace and power, and could withstand any persecution”…
… because he had a made a choice for Jesus and His Kingdom, above all!

He rejected all worldly promises and desires that blocked his view of the Kingdom!

Let’s realise that “true happiness is not a destination but a journey.

It is found in moments of kindness, love, and gratitude shared along the way!”

Let us become people, who transcend and rise up higher…
… to live our lives in the grandeur of Jesus and His Everlasting Kingdom!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Overcoming our ‘lethargic and uninterested walk’ in spiritual life; instead, being filled with a robust enthusiasm to ‘run in His presence’ and announce the Good News of His Saving Love to the world!”

(Based on Acts 2:14, 22-33, 1 Pt 1:17-21 and Lk 24:13-35 – 3rd Sunday of Easter)

A common phrase that is often heard or read is… “Most children walk to school…. but come back home running!”

Reasonably true, in most cases, right?

It takes a long walk to reach school
… as its often considered as “the not so interesting” part for a child
… to study, to be under various rules, to be restricted to a classroom etc

But it takes a very short run to reach back home
… as it is often considered as “the thrilling” part for a child – to play, to enjoy, to have fun etc.

Our interest influences our attitudes toward activities in life.

The greater the interest…
… the higher is the enthusiasm in an activity
The lower the interest…
… the lower will be the keenness for a particular work.

The Gospel of the Day presents two disciples who “walk away from home” in disinterest and dejection
… but later “who run towards home” with enthusiasm and passion!

The walk away…
… was a dull tale of being filled with disappointment and confusion
The walk towards…
… is an exciting story of being filled with immense joy and happiness

The encounter of Jesus to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus is one of the classic Resurrection encounters.

This incident appears only in the Gospel of St Luke.

The unnamed disciples have been shaken up very badly over the incidents over the last week in Jerusalem.

Like the Apostles, these disciples also would have been severely affected

Their Master, Jesus, in whom they had trusted, and they had followed, underwent a shameful death – that of a criminal.

It was humiliating…
… to be called as followers of a Criminal
It was abasing…
… to be called to as followers of a Blasphemer

Added to that, the accounts of some women who had seen the Empty Tomb of the Lord, added to greater confusion.

Life seemed to be dealing harshly with them
Gloom had descended into their hearts
Grim had taken over their lives.

And so they “walked” disappointed and dejected
… away from “home” – Jerusalem – to a village named Emmaus.

But this “walk” in sadness and gloom, was soon to become a life-transforming event!

Moments of hardships often become moments to encounter the deep love of the Lord!

Situations of dejections often become situations to experience the immense mercy of God!

Jesus met them, explained the Scriptures to them and finally in the house, broke the bread
… “and their eyes were opened!” (Lk 24: 30-31)
Their gloom was taken away
Their mourning was converted
Their sadness was chased away

This experience “had to be shared”
… This experience “had to be recounted”

And so these disciples, who had “encountered” the Lord
… now “ran!”

The walk away…
… was a dull tale of being filled with disappointment and confusion

The walk towards…
… is an exciting story of being filled with immense joy and happiness

How is our life?

Are we merely “walking” through activities and works in life, in dissipation
… or are we “running” through our duties and responsibilities filled with joy and hope?

Are we merely “walking” passively in our spiritual life and our Christian witnessing…
… or are we “running” boldly and enthusiastically, overflowing with happiness and love?

The Lord walks with us…
… on our every journey, in our every activity

But seldom do we see Him
… seldom do we “feel” His presence!

Those disciples realised this “feeling” of the Lord being with them at the Breaking of the Bread…

There lies the key
… there lies the open secret

The realization of the Presence of the Lord is guaranteed and facilitated by a meaningful participation in the Lord’s Body and Blood – at the Holy Eucharist!

The Lord in the Holy Eucharist, calls and invites us – to experience Him, to encounter Him…
… to be transformed by Him!

It’s by the Lord’s Mighty Power that we see St Peter, the first Pope, “boldly proclaiming” the Word of God (cf. Acts 2:14)

We are called to live as people “ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ…” (cf. 1 Pet 1:18-19)
With the Psalmist, let us boldly declare: “Lord, you will show us the path of life. ” (Psalm 16:11a)

May the Lord help us to overcome our “lethargic and uninterested walking” in spiritual life…
… and instead, help us to be filled with a robust enthusiasm to “run” in His presence and announcing the Good News of His saving Love to the world!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

“Being ready to be led by Jesus, the True Guide of our lives!”

(Based on Acts 6:1-7 and Jn 6:16-21 – Saturday of the 2nd Week of Easter)

A compass is an instrument used for navigation and orientation that shows direction.

It is used to find the right direction to get one to where one wants to go.

A compass helps to guide through unknown terrains.
… to be directed well, without being lost.
… to keep right the focus.

The Gospel of the Day presents Jesus, as a person, in perfect control of His life; as a result of being in union with His Father – the Compass of His life..
… and He, becomes the Compass in the life of His disciples – to guide and direct them to safety!

The Gospel is the incident of Jesus walking on the waters, as the disciples travel in the boat, caught up in the midst of a strong sea wind.

This incident follows the “miraculous” event of the multiplication of five loaves and two fish, to feed a “massive” number of people. (Jn 6: 1-15)

The people were greatly amazed and excited about this “super-miracle”.

This is evident in their words, “This is truly the Prophet, the One Who is to come into the world” (Jn 6: 14)

The people had seen an astonishing miracle.

They had witnessed Someone who was able to provide them food.
They had experienced Someone who could provide them security and strength.

But Jesus realized that all such excitement and exhilaration, would lead the people to make Him a King…

He knew that they would….
… be stuck to only material satisfaction and physical contentment
… not understand the heavenly and transcendental meaning of the miracle

And so Jesus withdrew to the mountain (Jn 6:15) to be with His Heavenly Father, alone.

His Beloved Father was the “Compass” of His life – the One who led Him….
… to guide through unknown terrains
… to direct well, without being lost
… to keep right the focus.

United with His Father, Jesus reaches out as a “Compass” to His struggling disciples…

They were being tossed up by the mighty waves and their boats were lashed by the mighty winds. (Jn 6:18)

But Jesus enters this “chaotic” scene….and ensures His peace and calm.
The disciples were lost
They had missed sight of their direction
They were disoriented in their focus and sight

Fear had seized them
Anxiety was drowning them.

But the Lord, the “Compass” of Life restores back their calm and focus and direction.

Nothing is lost, when we have the Lord as the compass of our lives.

Nothing will be drowned, if we hold on to Jesus, as the compass of our lives.

The disciples realized this…
… and they experienced the calming effect in their lives.

Are we also ready to have God as the “Compass” of our lives?

In prayer… In faithfulness.. In trust…
… let us be ready and open to be led by the True Guide of our lives!

God Bless! Live Jesus!