Lord, draw us nearer to you!

Readings: 1st: Acts 8:26-40; Ps: 66; Gos: John 6:44-51

This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com. 

Today, Thursday of the third week of Easter, we continue on our reflection on the bread of life discourse in the gospel according to John.

The discourse is becoming more and more intense. While the people seem to be paying attention to this “bizarre” topic, they are also anxious to understand what Christ really means by the bread of life. Their patience is running out.

Up till this point in the discussion, they have understood every thing only materially. However, Christ has decided to take the discursion to another level. Today, he introduces another important but scary issue.

He moved from simply telling them, “I am the bread of life,” to declaring to them that: “The bread that I will give you, is my flesh!” Did this make any sense to them? Was it well received? John will tell us more in the coming days.

Like in every discourse and dialogue, Christ is doing everything possible to open their senses to the reality, and to draw them closer to himself. Unfortunately, due to ignorance, and their obsession to the past, they could not understand anything. Consequently, they could not believe him.

Like the Jews of those days, most of us think we already know everything about God. Unfortunately, in reality, it is not so. If we are truly open and faithful to God, we shall feel within us, God’s impulse which always attracts us toward Jesus.

Also, we shall recognize that Jesus comes from God, because it is written in the Prophets: “They will all be taught by God. Everyone who has listened to the Father, and has learned from Him, comes to me.”

So, today let us pray that the Lord may continue to draw us closer to himself during each Eucharistic celebration, and that, we me always respond with faith and gratitude to his daily invitation. Alleluia, Alleluia!

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!