Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
(Acts 8:1b-8; John 6:35-40)
We speak of “food for thought” and refer to different types
of alcohol as “spirits.” We should hear
this kind of metaphorical expression in Jesus’ discourse to the crowds today.
Jesus says that he is “the bread of life” that satisfies the
people’s hunger forever. In this case he
is not referring, directly at least, to the Eucharistic bread but to his
teaching. That teaching paves a road of
love that leads to eternal joy. Likewise, if people heed his words on the
necessity of unity and peace rather than of self-promotion and rivalry, they
will imbibe the spirit that heals the soul.
They will not be frustrated by the unquenchable thirst for transcendence
through pleasure or power. Rather they
will experience the tranquility that brings one eternal bliss.
Jesus’ ways differ from those of the world. The world exhorts us to experience as much pleasure
and power as possible since that is the most it finds in life. On the other hand, Jesus gives us hope for
something infinitely better in eternal life.
His words are worth continuous discernment. In youth they move us to help our
neighbors. In old age they counsel reconciliation
with others before we meet the Lord in judgment.
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