"This is the bread that came down from heaven.
Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died,
whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
(John 6:58)
Jesus is the source of spiritual life and sustenance. Faith in Jesus is essential for spiritual nourishment and eternal life. His reference to His flesh and blood as true food and drink symbolizes His self-giving sacrifice for the salvation of humanity. These lessons remind us of the centrality of faith in Jesus, the significance of His sacrifice, the importance of spiritual discernment, and the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers.
52 The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” 53 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. 54 Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. 55 For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. 56 Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. 57 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. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” 59 These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. (John 6:52-59)
In the realm where spiritual rivers flow, Jesus, the source, makes life's garden grow. Faith in Him, a vital seed, for spiritual nourishment, it's all we need. His flesh and blood, true food and drink, a symbol profound, makes us think. His self-giving sacrifice, so grand, for humanity's salvation, He took a stand. Centrality of faith, in Jesus we find, significance of His sacrifice, in our mind. Spiritual discernment, a guiding light, helps us navigate through the night. An intimate relationship, a divine connection, between Jesus and His followers, in reflection. These lessons remind us, in every hour, of His love, His grace, His power.
Dear Lord Jesus, You are the source of spiritual life and sustenance, in You, we find our existence and essence. Faith in You is our spiritual nourishment, in Your love, we find encouragement and enrichment. Your flesh and blood, true food and drink, symbolize Your self-giving sacrifice, making us think. For the salvation of humanity, You gave Your all, in awe of Your love, we humbly fall. These lessons remind us of faith's centrality, in You, Jesus, lies our reality. The significance of Your sacrifice, so profound, in Your teachings, wisdom is found. Spiritual discernment, a precious gift, helps our spirits to uplift. The intimate relationship between You and us, in Your promise, we place our trust. In Your holy name, we pray, guide us, Lord Jesus, each and every day. Amen.
Our lives can radically be transformed once we encounter our Lord Jesus Christ. His grace and mercy extends to everyone regardless of their past. He can use anyone for His purpose, even those we least expect. Let us obey God’s call even when it seems challenging and stand for the truth, even in the face of adversity. This shows that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and forgiveness. It’s a reminder that everyone has the potential for redemption and a new beginning in Christ.
1 Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus. 9 For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. 10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, that he may regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel, 16 and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.” 17 So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, 19 and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength. He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Acts 9:1-20)
In the heart of transformation, a tale we weave, of lives touched by grace, in the Lord we believe. No past too dark, no sin too deep, His mercy extends, in His love we steep. Radically changed, when Christ we encounter, in His purpose, He can our lives center. Least expected, yet chosen, a truth so divine, in His grand design, even the ordinary can shine. Challenging calls, in faith we obey, for His purpose, we strive, come what may. In adversity's face, for truth we stand, guided and upheld by His loving hand. No one's beyond the reach of His forgiving embrace, in His love, we find our saving grace. A reminder profound, redemption's song, in Christ, a new beginning, to Him we belong.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts open wide, acknowledging the transformation You provide. Once we encounter our Lord Jesus Christ, our lives can radically change, in His love we're enticed. Your grace and mercy, so vast and free, extend to everyone, regardless of their history. No past too dark, no path too twisted, in Your forgiveness, our lives are lifted. You can use anyone for Your divine purpose, even those we least expect, You repurpose. Help us to heed Your call, even when it's challenging, and stand for the truth, Your wisdom channeling. Remind us, Lord, that no one is beyond Your reach, Your love and forgiveness, to all, You beseech. It's a reminder that redemption is not a distant dream, but a reality in Christ, a new beginning, it would seem. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
The universal nature of God’s love and mercy extend to all people, regardless of their nationality or ethnicity. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we are all one in praising and worshipping God. His word is true and His promises are always fulfilled. We should always trust in God’s promises, as His love is unfailing and His faithfulness is everlasting. These lessons inspire us to live with gratitude, trust in God’s faithfulness, embrace the universality of God’s love, and seek unity in worship.
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples! 2 For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the Lord endures forever. (Psalm 117:1, 2)
In the tapestry of life, diverse threads we weave, yet in God's love and mercy, we all believe. No matter the nationality, no matter the race, His love extends to all, a universal embrace. In worship, we unite, in praise, we are one, under the same moon, the same shining sun. His word is true, His promises fulfilled, in His unfailing love, our hearts are thrilled. Trust in His promises, let faith be your guide, in His everlasting faithfulness, take pride. Inspired to live with gratitude, to His love, we respond, embracing His universality, a bond that goes beyond. Seek unity in worship, let praises ascend, for His love and mercy, they have no end. In the lessons of life, His truth we find, a call to unity, love for all mankind.
Dear Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of Your universal love, a love that extends to all, from below and above. Regardless of nationality, regardless of ethnicity, Your mercy and grace reach out in authenticity. Despite our diverse backgrounds, in worship, we unite, in praising You, our hearts ignite. Your word is true, Your promises always fulfilled, in Your unfailing love, our souls are thrilled. We trust in Your promises, in Your faithfulness so grand, in every moment, by us, You stand. These lessons inspire us, in gratitude we live, to You, our praises, we joyfully give. We embrace the universality of Your love so pure, in Your presence, we find a cure. We seek unity in worship, in Your name we gather, bound by Your love, no storm we can't weather. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
II: The Book of Signs
THE BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE
John 6:51-59
First Reading
III: The Mission in Judea and Samaria
SAUL'S CONVERSION / SAUL'S BAPTISM / SAUL PREACHES IN DAMASCUS
Acts 9:1-9 / 10-19 / 20-22
Responsorial Psalm
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
THE NATIONS CALLED TO PRAISE
Psalm 117:1-2
