The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr. Vicente Uy, SVD – Philippine Sports Commission, Manila
Wednesday 3rd Week of Easter
The importance of food has never been more pronounced in recent times than around this time last 2008 when the Philippines, and the rest of the world for that matter, experienced a food crisis. There were riots in Haiti because of high cost of basic commodities and long queues in Manila just to buy a few kilos of NFA rice. For sure, it was not a good sight. But one thing good about it, if we are to be positive about it, is that it made us realize how important food is to life. During good times, we hardly give it a thought, even taking it for granted or indulge in it in a way that is extravagant or wasteful. I shudder to think if the same thing were to happen to the water we drink or the air we breathe. Right now, we do not think so much about it because it is still available, but what if? The warning signs are already there.
Life is precious and we will do anything just to keep it. That’s why we are afraid to die. But God meant life to be that way. When He created us and gave us life, He wanted us to keep it as well. In fact, He wants us to keep it not only for a certain length of time but longer; nay, forever!
God knows that no amount of food will keep us alive forever. Because the food that we eat does not and cannot give us that kind of life, which is eternal life. But because He wants us to also have that. He has made available to us the food that can do it. He calls it the Bread of Life.
What is this Bread of Life that can give us eternal life? Or better still, who is this Bread of Life that can give us that life which no ordinary food can give us?
Our Gospel reading today, (Jn 6, 35-40) gives us the answer: JESUS: During his Last Supper discourse, Jesus told his apostles: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
A simple statement, yet so profound! Here is the “food” that we need to keep ourselves alive beyond death! What makes it so special is that it is both food and life at the same time. In ordinary food, the food that we is eat is dead. We kill it first, then cook it before we eat it. But in Jesus, the food that we eat, in the form of bread, is alive. It is life itself. It is divine life! So he who eats it partakes of divine life as well. No wonder Jesus is assuring us here that “he who eat his flesh and drink his blood” will not die but will live forever!
By this, Jesus is referring to the Holy Eucharist where we get to eat his flesh and drink his blood. He is inviting us to come and partake of his meal. Are we doing that? If so, let us be reminded that eating his flesh and drinking his blood goes beyond attending Mass receiving Holy Communion. It means also having a personal relationship with Christ. In such a relationship, he plays an important part in our life. In fact, as a result of this relationship, Christ becomes the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life! Once we realize this and live accordingly, only then can we say that we have a real, personal relationship with Christ.
In addition, let us not forget that such a relationship is manifested primarily through a life of prayer and contemplation, and secondly, through a life of service based on respect for human life and human dignity. If we have this relationship, we can be sure that we are on the right track in our journey through time to eternity, which is our final destination, our final home, our final bliss.
