Bread of Life
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
John 6:24-35 - 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.” So they said to him, “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life…”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
The story we read today in the Gospel is a continuation from the story we read last Sunday. And in fact, it will continue for the next couple of weeks as well. Last week we read about Jesus feeding the 5,000 in the miracle of the loaves and fish. Here we read about those He fed, who later come looking for Jesus. He begins to teach them what is known as the “Bread of Life Discourse.” Here Jesus speaks clearly, very clearly, about the Eucharist and what it is (actually Who it is). For many of those following Jesus, His teaching on the Eucharist is a real challenge.
Part of the problem many people have in accepting Christ’s teaching on the Eucharist is that they can’t fit the whole idea into their heads. It goes beyond their understanding, beyond their experience, beyond their expectations. And because it is beyond them, they don’t accept it. While we should always use our rationality and think about Christ’s teachings, we can’t only think. We must also utilize faith. Faith makes us go beyond ourselves. And that is exactly where Jesus is trying to take us. He wants to take us beyond our understanding, our experience, our expectations. He wants to take us beyond ourselves… toHimself! And that’s exactly what He does in the Eucharist. Very literally, He is giving us Himself!
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above.(Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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