Daily Catholic Lectio
Tue, 16 April 2024
Third Week of Easter – Tuesday
Acts 7:51-8:1a. John 6:30-35
Bread of God
Jesus’ discourse on ‘life-giving bread’ begins in today’s gospel reading. Here Jesus proposes the first ‘I AM’ saying in the gospel of John. The word ‘food’ is dealt with in three levels: (a) Food that satisfies hunger; (b) Food as the sign of God’s providence; and (c) Food that God gives.
(a) Food that satisfies hunger. Jesus, by multiplying five loaves and two fish, satisfies the human physical need of hunger. Being sensitive and attentive to their need, Jesus finds an answer to satisfy it. People who were satisfied came looking for Jesus. Jesus changes the direction of their search.
(b) Food as a sign of God’s providence. People who listen to Jesus ask for a sign. They point out that the manna that their fathers ate was a sign for them. Jesus clarifies that it was his father who fed Manna for them. Manna was both food for their bodies and a sign of God’s providence.
(c) Food that God gives. Jesus says, “For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world … I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” ‘Believing’ in John’s gospel means ‘accepting Jesus as the Son of God.’ ‘Hunger’ and ‘thirst’ refer to spiritual or soul fulfilment.
The expression ‘bread of life,’ in the light of sacramental theology may refer to ‘Eucharist.’ But, let us remember that when Jesus said this or when John wrote it, sacramental theology did not develop.
Jesus comes to us as ‘bread of life’ through the Eucharist, word of God, neighbour, insight, value, good will, and liberation. He continues to feed our souls.
One who finds fulfilment in Jesus attains the highest fulfilment. The first reading brings before us two persons: Deacon Stephen, who found such fulfilment; and Saul, who was awaiting such fulfilment.
Deacon Stephen bears witness to his faith in Jesus. Luke portrays how Stephen imitated Jesus in his death. Stephen forgives the offenders; he acknowledges Jesus as God and surrenders his spirit to him.
Saul was overseeing the garments of the city men who stoned Stephen to death. When his eyes were on those garments, the eyes of God were upon him.
God’s hand wins in the end.
His food satisfies the hunger-thirst of our soul.
Let us unite ourselves to the Psalmist (cf. Ps 31), who sings, “I will rejoice and be glad of your mercy.”
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“May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” (Ps 33:22). (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 73)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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