First Reading (Exodus 16,2-4.12-15)
Reading of the Book of Exodus.
In those days, the Israelite community began to grumble against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, saying, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread! Why have you brought us out into this wilderness to starve all these people to death?” The Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people shall go out daily and gather only a day’s portion, so that I may test them, to see whether they will follow my law or not. I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, then, ‘In the evening you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.'” In the evening a flock of quail came and covered the camp; and in the morning a layer of dew formed around the camp. When the dew had evaporated, something small, like grains of sand, as fine as frost on the ground, appeared on the surface of the desert. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is this?” for they did not know what it was. Moses answered them, “This is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.” The word of the Lord.
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Second Reading (Ephesians 4,17.20-24)
Reading of Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians.
Brothers and sisters: This I tell you and testify in the Lord: Do not live as the pagans do, whose futile thinking leads them astray. But you did not learn Christ in this way, unless you heard him rightly and were taught the truth in Jesus. Put off your former self, the old self that is being corrupted by its deceitful passions, and be renewed in your spirit and mind. Put on the new self, created in the image of God, in true righteousness and holiness.
– The word of the Lord.
– Thanks be to God.
Gospel (John 6,24-35)
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum, looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not strive for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For this is the one the Father has sealed.” Then they asked him, “What must we do, to do the works of God?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” They asked him, “What sign do you perform, so that we may see and believe in you? What work do you do? Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness, as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven. It is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” So they said, “Lord, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, O Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
My brothers and sisters in Christ, today we are blessed with readings that speak deeply about God’s providence, spiritual transformation, and the true source of life. Each of these passages offers us insight into how God cares for us, calls us to inner renewal, and reveals to us the bread of life. Let us immerse ourselves in these readings and allow the Word of God to transform our hearts.
Let us begin with the first reading from the book of Exodus. The people of Israel, after being freed from slavery in Egypt, find themselves in the desert, facing hunger and thirst. They begin to murmur against Moses and Aaron, lamenting the difficult conditions and even wishing to return to Egypt. In their anguish, they cry out to God, and He, in His infinite mercy, responds by sending manna, the bread from heaven.
Imagine yourself in the desert, with the sun blazing down and the horizon vast and desolate. Hunger and thirst begin to take hold, and despair sets in. It is in this moment of extreme need that God provides manna. This bread from heaven symbolizes not only physical provision, but also God’s faithfulness. It reminds us that even in our most difficult moments, God is present and attentive to our needs.
In the second reading, Saint Paul writes to the Ephesians, urging them to abandon their old life of sin and to put on the new self, created in the image of God, in righteousness and holiness. Paul speaks of the radical transformation that occurs when we accept Christ into our lives. He calls us to leave behind the old ways, the vanities and deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of our minds.
Let’s think of a butterfly. Before it becomes a beautiful and free creature, it is a caterpillar, crawling on the ground. Through the process of metamorphosis, it transforms completely, leaving behind its old form and taking on a new identity. In the same way, we are called to undergo a spiritual metamorphosis. We are called to abandon our sins and live as new creatures in Christ.
Finally, in the Gospel of John, Jesus reveals to us the true source of life. After feeding a multitude with five loaves of bread and two fish, the people follow Jesus, looking for more signs and miracles. Jesus, however, exhorts them not to work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life. He declares, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
This statement by Jesus is profoundly revealing. He is not just talking about satisfying our physical hunger, but about satisfying our deepest spiritual needs. In a world that often offers us “bread” that does not fill us up, that leaves us always seeking more, Jesus offers us true satiety. He is the bread that came down from heaven, that gives life to the world.
Let us reflect on bread in our lives. Bread is a basic, essential, everyday food. It represents the daily provision, the sustenance that sustains us. Jesus presents Himself as this essential bread for our souls. Without Him, our spiritual life is empty and without purpose. With Him, we find fulfillment, purpose, and eternal life.
Now, dear brothers and sisters, how can we apply these truths to our daily lives?
First, let us trust in God’s providence. Just as He provided manna for the Israelites in the wilderness, He will take care of our needs. In times of difficulty, let us remember that God is with us and sustains us. We must trust in Him, even when the journey seems arduous and the path uncertain.
Second, let us respond to St. Paul’s call for spiritual transformation. Let us examine our lives and identify areas where we need change. May we be renewed in the spirit of our minds, leaving behind old habits and embracing new life in Christ. This may mean forgiving someone, giving up an addiction, or seeking to live with greater integrity and compassion.
Third, let us seek true fulfillment in Jesus. In a world full of distractions and false promises of happiness, let us turn our hearts to Christ. He is the only one who can fill the emptiness in our souls. Let us partake of the Eucharist with faith and devotion, recognizing Jesus as the bread of life, who nourishes and strengthens us for the journey.
Let us now take a moment of silence, asking God for the grace to trust Him more deeply, to be transformed into His image, and to find our satisfaction in Jesus, the bread of life.
Lord, we thank You for Your Word that illuminates our paths. Help us to trust in Your providence, to seek spiritual renewal, and to find in Jesus the true source of life. May we live as new creations, reflecting Your love and justice in all our actions. Amen.
As we leave here today, may we take with us the hope and determination to live according to these teachings. May God’s grace accompany us, and may we be light and salt in the world, living as true disciples of Christ. Amen.
