“Do not work for food that perishes but for food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”
This quotation comes from today’s Gospel and leaves one wondering, "what does it mean?" Well, it must mean that as followers of God we must embrace the Son of Man, not simply because he fed the five-thousand with bread, but because in communion he gives us his living self. Each time we receive communion we are taking on the very self of Christ, as we are putting on and receiving the heart and mind of Christ.
Do you feel yourself embracing the Son of Man each time you receive communion? In what ways can you or others use this feeling as a way to accomplish the works of God?
In today’s other reading, Acts of the Apostles, St. Stephen preaches with persuasive power the truth about the Risen Lord Jesus. In spite of St. Stephen’s angelic appearance, enemies rise up and seek to put an end to his preaching via violent acts. Living out what he believed, St. Stephen responded in a nonviolent way.
Lord, may you help our families resist violence and live out our beliefs - just as St. Stephen did - so that we may live in communion with Christ. Amen.
