4/17/2024 (Wednesday) Today’s gospel reading: John 6:35-40

35 Jesus said to the crowds: I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall not hunger: and he that believes in me shall never thirst.
36 But I said unto you, that you also have seen me, and you believe not.
37 All that the Father gives to me shall come to me; and him that comes to me, I will not cast out.
38 Because I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.
39 Now this is the will of the Father who sent me: that of all that he has given me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again in the last day.
40 And this is the will of my Father that sent me: that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, may have life everlasting, and I will raise him up in the last day.

4/17/2024 (Wednesday) Today’s gospel reflection / homily / sermon: John 6:35-40

In the gospel reading above, Jesus offers profound comfort and an unwavering promise that resonates with hope and assurance. When He declares, “I am the bread of life,” Jesus invites us into a relationship sustained not by perishable goods, but by the everlasting nourishment of His presence and love. This assurance is not just a temporary relief but a permanent solution to the deepest hunger of every human heart — the hunger for meaning, purpose, and connection.

Jesus further promises that whoever comes to Him will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Him will never be thirsty. Here, He is not merely speaking of physical needs but addressing the spiritual emptiness that so often pervades our lives. In a world where we chase after many things hoping they will fulfill us, Jesus stands as the one true source of lasting satisfaction. This is a call to shift our focus from the temporary and unsatisfying to the eternal and fulfilling.

Moreover, Jesus reassures us that coming to Him is not a journey made in vain. “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” These words are a beautiful reminder of His inclusive embrace and His refusal to reject anyone who seeks Him. It’s a message of unconditional love and acceptance, regardless of our past and our imperfections.

He emphasizes that He came down from heaven not to pursue His own agenda, but to do the will of the One who sent Him. This mission includes that He shall lose none of those given to Him, but raise them up at the last day. It’s a promise of eternal security and hope. We are not only cared for in this life but are also cherished with the promise of eternal life.

Let us take heart in these promises. Approach Jesus, the Bread of Life, with confidence and trust that in Him, our deepest needs are met and our greatest fears are calmed. In Him, we find not only sustenance for today but also the assurance of forever.

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