One day before today’s Gospel, Jesus fed the multitude with just five barley loaves and two fish. He calmed the sea and walked on water to His disciples. Now, the crowds have followed Him to Capernaum, and there, amazingly, they still ask Him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you perform?” (John 6:30) Seriously, people?
After reminding them to seek the food that endures for eternity, the bread of heaven, they respond “Lord, give us this bread always” (John 6:34). He finally sees His opportunity to go on. He has their attention and their hearts are open, if only just a little. So He begins today’s Gospel: “I am the bread of life…”
“I am it,” He seems to say. “I am everything you are searching for. I am everything you need. I have been sent to you by my Father because He loves you, each and every one of you. I am here to do His will, and His will is to gather every heart to Him. Come to me.”
Jesus shared this astounding invitation with His disciples that day in Capernaum, and He’s sharing it still with each of us today. Jesus was sent by God to gather all; He was sent by God to gather you. Specifically, you. He is the bread from heaven that will sustain you in every way. And He will never give up on you. Ever. Come to Him.
Like those disciples in Capernaum, we can lose sight of all the wonders God has already done in our lives. We can become complacent and ask, “What can you do for me now?” Seriously, people? How about everything?
Next time we approach the altar to receive the Eucharist, instead of just walking along in the Communion line, let’s truly come to Him. Let’s look to Jesus and hear his words, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” And from our heart of hearts, let’s humbly answer, “Lord, give us this bread always.”
Un día antes del Evangelio de hoy, Jesús alimentó a la multitud con tan solo cinco panes de cebada y dos peces. Calmó el mar y caminó sobre las aguas hacia sus discípulos. Ahora, la multitud lo ha seguido hasta Capernaúm, y allí, sorprendentemente, todavía le preguntan: “¿Qué signo vas a realizar tú, para que lo veamos y podamos creerte? ¿Cuáles son tus obras?” (Juan 6:30). ¿De verdad?
Tras recordarles que busquen el alimento que perdura para la eternidad, el pan del cielo, responden: “Señor, danos siempre de ese pan” (Juan 6:34). Jesús finalmente ve la oportunidad de continuar. Capta su atención y sus corazones se abren, aunque sea solo un poquito. Y así comienza el Evangelio de hoy: “Yo soy el pan de vida…”
“Yo lo soy”, parece decir. “Yo soy todo lo que buscan. Yo soy todo lo que necesitan. Mi Padre me ha enviado porque los ama a cada uno de ustedes. Estoy aquí para hacer su voluntad, y su voluntad es reunir cada corazón en torno a Él. Vengan a mí.”
Jesús compartió esta asombrosa invitación con sus discípulos aquel día en Capernaúm, y la sigue compartiendo con cada uno de nosotros hoy. Jesús fue enviado por Dios para reunir a todos; fue enviado por Dios para reunirte a ti. Específicamente, a ti. Él es el pan del cielo que te sustentará en todo. Y nunca te abandonará. Nunca. Ven a Él.
Al igual que aquellos discípulos en Capernaúm, podemos perder de vista todas las maravillas que Dios ya ha hecho en nuestras vidas. Podemos caer en la complacencia y preguntarnos: “¿Qué puedes hacer por mí ahora?” ¿De verdad? La respuesta es, ¡todo!
La próxima vez que nos acerquemos al altar para recibir la Eucaristía, en lugar de simplemente caminar en la cola de comunión, acerquémonos verdaderamente a Él. Miremos a Jesús y escuchemos sus palabras: “Yo soy el pan de vida. El que viene a mí no tendrá hambre, y el que cree en mí nunca tendrá sed”. Y desde lo más profundo de nuestro corazón, respondamos humildemente: “Señor, danos siempre de ese pan”.
Pamela Kavanaugh is a grateful wife, mother, and grandmother who has dedicated her professional life to Catholic education. Though she has done her very best to teach her students well in the subjects of language and religion, she knows that she has learned more than she has taught. She lives, teaches, and writes in southwest suburban Chicago.
Feature Image Credit: Jan Davidsz. DeHeem, art.diocesan.com/stock-photo/still-life-with-a-host-surrounded-by-a-wreath-of-fruit-25113/
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
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