Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter April 13, 2005 Scripture: Acts 8:1B-8; John 6:35-40 Reflection: In John’s Gospel, this discourse on the Bread of Life is sandwiched between the preceding miracle of the multiplication of the loaves at Passover and the effects of this intense teaching on Jesus’ hearers. Some, if not many, found it too hard to accept, even though they had experienced his ability to feed them miraculously. Nevertheless, Jesus does not water down his statement: “I, Myself, am the Bread of Life.” Rather, He continues to become more daring by promising “Eternal Life” to anyone who believes that He truly is the Bread of Life. The act of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion is transformative for us. We enter into HIS Light. We are absorbed into HIS Life. Then, we are asked to allow this Light-energy to burst forth from us so that others may partake of the same Life-giving Bread - Jesus Himself. There is no better way to reconciliation and unity among peoples than this holy Meal. From wooden manger to wooden cross... Jesus is my nourishment Laid in a feeding trough, laid high upon the cross... Jesus is my nourishment. “I, Myself, am the Living Bread”... Jesus is my nourishment. Becoming Him on whom I’m fed, Jesus is my nourishment. As others seek the Light of Life... I become their nourishment. From simple needs to heavy strife, I become their nourishment. Suggested Action: In this Year of the Eucharist, promote daily Communion, Adoration, and other prayerful times in the Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in order to draw others to this Sacred Gift. Sr. Joan M. Bastress, IHM Baltimore, Maryland

Graphic: Sr. Fran Fasolka, IHM