John 6:1-69

Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is nourishment for our souls, from the altars of the Word and of the Eucharist.

"You nourished your people with food of angels and furnished them bread from heaven, ready to hand, untoiled-for, endowed with all delights and conforming to every taste. For this substance of yours revealed your sweetness toward your children, and serving the desire of him who received it, was blended to whatever flavor each one wished." (1)

The Bread Of Life

The crowds tasted His providence;
They hungered for Him selfishly.
To have their fill was their pretense -
He knew their hearts; He had to flee.

Abandoned, His disciples left,
But found themselves in a dark storm:
Tossed by the waves, they were bereft
Of His presence - their faith lukewarm.

He rescued them from their distress,
And led them safely to the shore,
Where He would once again address
The crowds that gathered to hear more.

"I am the Bread of Heaven sent;
My flesh and blood are food and drink."
But few could fathom what this meant;
Their hearts of shallow faith would sink.

He asked the twelve if they would leave.
Peter said: "Lord, where would we go?
Your word is life and we believe;
You are God's Holy One, we know."

Food for eternal life He gives;
The Father wills that each soul lives.


May our deepest hunger be nourished by the Bread of Life each day of our lives.

1. Wisdom 16:20-21


(c) Paul Buis, 2005