The Bread of Hope

Bread. There are many varieties to choose from, in all sizes and shapes. In the Gospel for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (John 6:24-35) Jesus says, “I am the Bread of Life.” Jesus came offering a new kind of bread, one that doesn’t go bad, one that everyone can eat and lasts forever. A bread that brings hope. 

Not Enough

There are people who live life without hope seeing only a dead end with no way out. Some search for that one true love who will make all their loneliness and troubles go away. There are people who stuff themselves with material things only to realize that once they are full they are still hungry. After Jesus fed the 5,000, people began to follow him everywhere. They were starving and wanted more of what he gave them. “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty”. This was undoubtedly confusing to many people. How exactly is Jesus the Bread of Life? 

Food For Thought

Food and water are two of the necessities of survival. Once we have met our basic needs, we can begin to focus on love, security and belonging. They are not necessary for life, but are important. The bread that Jesus provides goes beyond the physical and psychological needs of the body to something much more important. This bread not only gives us the love, security and belonging we need, it goes out and beyond us into the greater community. 

Homework

This bread gives us the life of Jesus. Filled with his love, we naturally want to bring it out to others. In bringing it into the world, we help complete his mission in becoming the one Body of Christ. It gives me hope.