Gospel 

John 6:51-58

Jesus said to the crowds: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"  Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever."

Sermon

My brothers and sisters in Christ,

today’s Gospel reading presents us with a profound and mysterious teaching from Jesus. He says, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven... Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you."

What does Jesus mean by this? Is he speaking literally or figuratively? The Jews who heard him were confused and quarrelsome, asking how he could give them his flesh to eat.

But Jesus is not speaking of cannibalism or physical consumption. He is speaking of spiritual nourishment, of feeding on his very being, his flesh and blood.

Jesus is the bread of life, the true food and true drink that sustains us spiritually. Just as our bodies need bread to live, our souls need Jesus to live eternally.

To eat his flesh and drink his blood means to receive him fully, to accept his teachings, his sacrifice, and his love. It means to be united with him, to remain in him, and to have him remain in us.

As we reflect on this passage, let us ask ourselves:

- Are we feeding on Jesus, the bread of life?

- Are we receiving him fully, or are we holding back?

- Are we united with him, or are we living in separation?

May we come to the table of the Lord, hungry for his presence, thirsty for his love. May we eat his flesh and drink his blood, and may we have eternal life.

Prayer

Let us pray: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty, merciful and loving God,

We come before you, hungry for the presence of Jesus, the bread of life. We ask for the grace to receive him fully, to accept his teachings, his sacrifice, and his love.

Lord Jesus, we thank you for being the true food and true drink that sustains us spiritually. Help us to feed on your flesh and blood, that we may have eternal life.

Holy Spirit, guide us to remain in Jesus and to have him remain in us. May we be united with him and with each other, as we live in your love.

Forgive us for the times we have held back or lived in separation from you. Help us to come to the table of the Lord, eager to receive your presence and your love.

We pray for all those who are struggling to understand your teaching, that they may come to know you as the bread of life. We pray for all those who are hungry and thirsty, that they may be satisfied in you.

May we live forever, nourished by your flesh and blood, and may we raise others to eternal life by sharing your love.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Additional prayer requests:

- For spiritual nourishment and growth

- For unity and communion with Jesus and with each other

- For the ability to receive Jesus fully and to accept his teachings

- For the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit

- For the salvation and satisfaction of all those who are hungry and thirsty

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,

Rev. Fr. Jhimerson Maneclang,SCJ