Wednesday, April 21, 2021

 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.