The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present the essential role of the Bread of Life in the energy and conviction of our witness in word and deed.
In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Saul persecutes the Church and Philip preaches in Samaria.
* [8:1] All were scattered…except the apostles: this observation leads some modern scholars to conclude that the persecution was limited to the Hellenist Christians and that the Hebrew Christians were not molested, perhaps because their attitude toward the law and temple was still more in line with that of their fellow Jews (see the charge leveled against the Hellenist Stephen in Acts 6:13–14). Whatever the facts, it appears that the Twelve took no public stand regarding Stephen’s position, choosing, instead, to await the development of events.
* [8:3] Saul…was trying to destroy the church: like Stephen, Saul was able to perceive that the Christian movement contained the seeds of doctrinal divergence from Judaism. A pupil of Gamaliel, according to Acts 22:3, and totally dedicated to the law as the way of salvation (Gal 1:13–14), Saul accepted the task of crushing the Christian movement, at least insofar as it detracted from the importance of the temple and the law. His vehement opposition to Christianity reveals how difficult it was for a Jew of his time to accept a messianism that differed so greatly from the general expectation. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 66 offers praise for God’s Goodness to Israel.
* [Psalm 66] In the first part (Ps 66:1–12), the community praises God for powerful acts for Israel, both in the past (the exodus from Egypt and the entry into the land [Ps 66:6]) and in the present (deliverance from a recent but unspecified calamity [Ps 66:8–12]). (Psalms, PSALM 66 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares He is the Bread of Life.
* [6:35–59] Up to Jn 6:50 “bread of life” is a figure for God’s revelation in Jesus; in Jn 6:51–58, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore. There may thus be a break between Jn 6:50–51. (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Gladyce Janky notes that Lydia of Thyatira, with the Apostle Paul, co-founded the first Christian home church in Europe (Acts 16:15). Lydia brings her entire household together for a celebratory meal. Everyone wants to hear about her journey, expecting tales about the sights, sounds, and people. Imagine their surprise when the conversation focuses on one encounter.
I want to tell you about a Prophet named Jesus, a man sent by God. He spoke about why God sent him -to bring everyone to God. Jesus accepts anyone God sends to him – even you and me if we listen to his message. He called God Aba and talked about the last day. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life,” offering anyone who listens God’s healing nourishment. The temple authorities follow Jesus throughout Judea, seeing the miracles he performs and hearing his teachings, but refuse to “see” him. I know what it is like to be not seen and how I felt in Jesus’ presence. His message has entered my heart. My soul did not feel hungry for the first time, and I found water that quenches my thirst. This Jesus is changing everything, or maybe he is simply calling us back to how the world should be – focused on God. When Jesus comes to Thyatira, he will be welcome in this household so that you can eat the living bread and drink the water God offers.
Everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life,
And I shall raise him on the last day, says the Lord (Jn 6:40). (Janky, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Possessing the Scriptures,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"When you understand anything in the Scriptures, it is love that is manifesting itself to you. When you fail to understand, it is love that is hiding itself from you. Those, therefore, who possess charity possess both what is manifest in the divine words and what is hidden in them." (excerpt from Sermon 350,2) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 8:1-8 comments that over the centuries, the hope in the risen Lord has continued to sustain God’s people as they preached the good news. Today believers in nearly every nation on earth continue to proclaim the gospel, no matter how dangerous the situation. Nothing, not even direct opposition or violence, can overcome their hope in Christ. How can we sustain a vibrant hope in the Lord? By rooting ourselves in the word of God and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus each day. As we draw near to him in prayer, we will experience his goodness, his mercy, and his care for us. Then we will become more confident that he will remain faithful to his promises, whether we are living in peaceful or stormy times.
Do you know someone who has lost hope? The early Christians couldn’t be silenced even when they were being persecuted. Don’t be silent, either! Share with that person the hope that is in your heart, a hope that never runs dry because its source is Jesus himself!
“Jesus, help me to share the reason for my hope.” (Meditation on Acts 8:1-8, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the persecution of the Hellenistic Jews that started with Stephen. The Gospel is spread from Aramaic speaking Jews to Greek speaking Jews and then to the heretical Jews in Samaria. Friar Jude notes that Jesus Bread of Life discourse speaks of both realized and future eschatology emphasizing Presence in the Eucharist now.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Brazilian liberation theologian Leonardo Boff who witnesses the presence of the Holy Spirit in the creativity of the arts.
The arts are very much like the Spirit. They are intangible. They are ends in themselves. They have an intrinsic value…. Art, music, and poetry in themselves are priceless. They are unique creations, not serial productions. They are like a gift we give to a loved one, valuable for its own sake. Somehow they escape the limits of time and bring us a foretaste of eternity.
Inspiration is in the air and settles on people without regard for their skin color, their social background, or their educational level. How many illiterate artists have emerged in [Brazil], in marginal communities, and were never noticed: poets, artisans, painters, singers, musicians, mystics? Boasting is not the Spirit’s way; it is like water that quietly runs along the ground, fills the vessels it is poured into, and always chooses to run downhill.
That is why the Spirit does not have its own figure, as the Father and the Son do. It is portrayed as a dove, but what is important is the radiant light it gives off. It is the Breath (Spiritus in Latin) that reveals life, sustains life, and renews life in every way.
The universe and all beings are saturated with Spirit. To recognize its presence in every corner of the cosmos is the work of spirituality, of life in the Spirit. (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the action of the Spirit that continues to inform our journey and lead us to live in gratitude for the Bread of Life.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/8?1
Janky, G. (n.d.). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/041724.html
John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?35
Meditation on Acts 8:1-8. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/17/938113/
Psalms, PSALM 66 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/66?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Spirit Inspires. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-spirit-inspires/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). I Will Raise You up at the Last Day. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 17, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr17
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