We are pilgrims of hope, sojourners to the kingdom of God where peace and love of God reigns. We need to admit that searching for God and serving Him is not an easy endeavour.

The Book of Sirach Chapter 2 verse 2 corroborates this fact. Indeed we need spiritual strength to forge ahead and remain consistent with God lest we fall out of redemption. For our spiritual strength, the Bread of Life that Jesus is giving us is non-negotiable for our journey of return to God.

 

In today's first reading, Prophet Elijah embarked on a journey into the wilderness. His journey was described as a journey towards God, it was a long and difficult journey that exhausted his strength.

To show the difficult nature of his journey, Prophet Elijah asked that he might die. But God came urgently to his rescue by sending an Angel to bring him food, this happened twice.

After the second time, the exhausted Prophet rose with renewed strength and walked forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. 

Dear friends, the food the angel brought was for Elijah's journey to the mountain of God. Without the strength from that food, it is difficult to ascend the mountain.

The one who was tired as a result of a day's journey, walked forty days and forty nights after eating the spiritual food of angels. The Psalmist is apt when he says "Taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34.

Truly, the goodness of God refuses us nothing except sin, even to the point of feeding us with his Body and Blood and by dying for ungrateful men and women.

 

In today's gospel reading, Jesus declared: "I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." Jn 6:51.

Dear Friends both the first reading and the gospel are dramatic for our consideration and for further reflection. They are both laden with mysteries. The appearance of the food brought by the angel and the weird/strange statement of Jesus are surprising.

The two readings again share similarity in the sense that, the food of the angels was brought closer to mere mortals. In that of gospel, it was hidden in Jesus himself.

On the contrary, while Elijah ate what was brought without questioning and complaining, the crowd in the gospel murmured and complained.

The difference between Elijah in the first reading and the crowd in the gospel is faith and courage. We cannot eat the Bread of life without faith and courage, we can't welcome Jesus in our souls without faith, devotion, courage and love. Remember, love dispels fear.

Our celebration of Jesus in the Eucharist requires faith to adore our God, courage to eat as our immolated lamb and love in order to abide in God.

Dear friends, drawing insight from the above, there are occasions where God is planning and working for our physical and spiritual well-being while we go about complaining and murmuring. Some even abandon God just like the people in the gospel. By such acts, we become losers and our journey becomes thwarted.

 

The second reading admonishes us "not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). If we allow the spirit of God to permeate us, we will appreciate God and complain less.  

The great mystery of the Body and Blood of Jesus is our Holy Eucharist for all time and ages. But it is a pity that many still belittle and doubt the efficacy of this wonderful Sacrament. St Pope John Paul II once said: "In that little host is the solution to all the problems of the world." Whether we believe or not, it is a fact!

The Holy Eucharist serves as a mystical union between God and man. It is where Christ strengthens our humanity and gives us the rare privilege to partake of his divinity therefore making us not mere sensual or canal beings but beings capable of transcendence.

Today, many people still walk aimlessly. Their journey in life lacks purpose and direction. Many people are still unrelenting in their search for miracles and miracle centres and not God, thereby climbing and descending from one mountain of rituals to another and yet they don't get to the mountain of God. 

Dear friends, the Bread of Life is necessary for our spiritual journey. In fact, it should never be abandoned because it truly transforms us into a new creation that God wants us to become.

A new creation that lives together in peace and harmony, a new creation that is selfless and not selfish and corrupt. A new creation that worships God in truth and spirit.

May our daily celebration of the Holy Eucharist revitalize us and transform us into heavenly candidates through Christ our Lord, Amen. Happy Sunday.