John 6:22-29

Acts 6:8-15

Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30

John 6:22-29

[After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.]

The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea

saw that there had been only one boat there,

and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat,

but only his disciples had left.

Other boats came from Tiberias

near the place where they had eaten the bread

when the Lord gave thanks.

When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,

they themselves got into boats

and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

And when they found him across the sea they said to him,

“Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Jesus answered them and said,

“Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me

not because you saw signs

but because 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.

For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.”

So they said to him,

“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”

Jesus answered and said to them,

“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of the Eucharist. I believe it truly is the food that endures for eternal life. I ask that you deepen my faith and that, in my life, I always look for your Son, Jesus Christ.

Encountering the Word of God

1. When the Lord Gave Thanks: Today’s Gospel passage connects the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:1-15) and the walking on water (John 6:16-21) with the Bread of Life Discourse (John 6:32-58). Here, Jesus prepares his hearers for the teaching that he is the life-giving bread that God gives from heaven. “First, he instructs them that they need to elevate their minds above physical bread, which sustains earthly life, to heavenly bread, which gives eternal life (John 6:26-27). Second, Jesus establishes the discourse’s basic principle: people should work to obtain the bread that lasts for eternal life, which he provides (John 6:27). Third, Jesus introduces the theme of God’s work, which leads to faith in Jesus and the reception of the life-giving bread” (Martin and Wright, The Gospel of John, 120). When John points back to the place of the bread miracle, he uses the verb “eucharistein,” which means “to give thanks.” The Sacrament, instituted by Christ at the Last Supper, is called “Eucharist” because it is an action of thanksgiving to God. The name recalls the Jewish blessings that proclaim – especially during a meal – God’s works: creation, redemption, and sanctification (see CCC, 1328).

2. The Seal of God the Father: In the Gospel, Jesus refers to himself as “the Son of Man,” on whom God the Father has set his seal. As the Son of God, Jesus is eternally sealed and anointed by the Holy Spirit. The Son is perfectly united to the Father by their Bond of Love. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River was also a sealing, but one that happened in time. Just as the Son of God is sealed and anointed by the Spirit, we, as adopted children of God, are sealed: “The language of sealing designates ownership, and the New Testament often describes the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as a sealing, impressing a permanent mark (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30)” (Martin and Wright, The Gospel of John, 121). As the Catechism teaches: “Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, the person baptized is configured to Christ. Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character of his belonging to Christ” (CCC, 1272). The sacramental character consecrates us for religious worship. “The baptismal seal enables and commits Christians to serve God by a vital participation in the holy liturgy of the Church and to exercise their baptismal priesthood by the witness of holy lives and practical charity” (CCC, 1273).

3. Accomplishing the Work of God: When the crowds asked Jesus what they needed to do to accomplish the works of God, they were likely thinking about the works prescribed by the Torah, the Law of Moses. Jesus points them to the role of faith and how it empowers a person to accomplish supernatural and meritorious works. This is a point to which Paul returns time and time again in his letters. We were powerless to fulfill the Old Law. However, empowered by divine grace through faith in Jesus, we can fulfill the New Law of charity instituted by Christ. On our own, we can do nothing, but with Christ, all things are possible.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd, and I am part of your flock. You are the Sheep Gate, and I choose to go through you to the pasture of eternal life. You are the Bread of Life, and I am humbled to be invited to partake of this bread. You are the true Vine, and I am a branch united to you. You are the light of the world; shine your light in and through me today. You are the Resurrection and the Life, raise me up to new life with you. You are the way, the truth, and the life; lead me and guide me to the dwelling of eternal life.

Living the Word of God: How do I prepare myself to receive the Eucharist? Do I make spiritual communions throughout the work day? What can I do better to prepare for this great Sacrament? Is there anyone I can invite to come to mass with me on Sunday?