Sharing the Bread of Life

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, exhort us to share fullness of life with our community through our Communion with the Bread of Life.

Recalling Corpus Christi 2015

The Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy recalls God’s Care.

* [8:3] Not by bread alone: Deuteronomic theology puts the good things promised faithful Israel into the context of the Lord’s gratuitous love. As in 6:10–12, the goods of life must be seen as gift. Israel is to seek what really matters; all else will be added (cf. Mt 6:33).

* [8:15] Saraph: see note on Nm 21:6. (Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 147 exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created.

* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water.

* [147:15–19] God speaks through the thunder of nature and the word of revealed law, cf. Is 55:10–11. The weather phenomena are well known in Jerusalem: a blizzard of snow and hail followed by a thunderstorm that melts the ice. (Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians proclaims sacrifices establish communion.

 

* [10:14–22] The warning against idolatry from 1 Cor 10:7 is now repeated (1 Cor 10:14) and explained in terms of the effect of sacrifices: all sacrifices, Christian (1 Cor 10:16–17), Jewish (1 Cor 10:18), or pagan (1 Cor 10:20), establish communion. But communion with Christ is exclusive, incompatible with any other such communion (1 Cor 10:21). Compare the line of reasoning at 1 Cor 6:15. (1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, in the Bread of Life Discourse, the eucharistic theme comes to the fore.

* [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.

* [6:54–58] Eats: the verb used in these verses is not the classical Greek verb used of human eating, but that of animal eating: “munch,” “gnaw.” This may be part of John’s emphasis on the reality of the flesh and blood of Jesus (cf. Jn 6:55), but the same verb eventually became the ordinary verb in Greek meaning “eat.” (John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)

Susan Naatz shares a sacred, communal moment inviting pre-teens, preparing for First Eucharist, to begin to understand why Jesus chose bread as they prepared to someday receive him, the bread of life, in the Eucharist.

My siblings and young students experienced the connective aspect of breaking bread together. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians today beautifully defines its role in the Eucharist: The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

The next time you share bread in any form with another, reflect on the symbol and the communal moment. May we always remember that Jesus chose that form of loving connection to come to us each time we participate in the Eucharist so that we too, as members of the Body of Christ, will become life-giving bread for others. (Naatz, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Let faith confirm you,” by Cyril of Jerusalem, 315-386 A.D.

"Failing to understand his words spiritually, [the Jews] were offended and drew back, thinking that the Savior was urging them to cannibalism. Then again in the old covenant there was the showbread. But that, since it belonged to the old covenant, has come to an end. In the new covenant there are the bread of heaven and the cup of salvation, which sanctify body and soul. For as bread corresponds to the body, so the Word is appropriate to the soul. So do not think of them as mere bread and wine. In accordance with the Lord's declaration, they are body and blood. And if our senses suggests otherwise, let faith confirm you. Do not judge the issue on the basis of taste, but on the basis of faith be assured beyond all doubt that you have been allowed to receive the body and blood of Christ. (excerpt from MYSTAGOGICAL LECTURES 4.4-6) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 6:51-58 comments that Jesus is proclaiming that he himself is “the living bread that came down from heaven” and that he will give them his own “flesh for the life of the world” (6:51). Two thousand years later, we encounter this same Jesus at every Eucharist. What a glorious gift! He offered his Body and Blood on the cross to save us, and now he gives us that same Body and Blood on the altar.

At Mass today, as the priest lifts up the Host, fix your eyes and heart on Jesus. As you pray, “Lord, I am not worthy,” trust in the mercy of your crucified Savior. As you come forward to receive Jesus, proclaim your faith in his true, Real Presence in what was once only bread and wine. And as you kneel in grateful prayer, praise and thank him for giving his life to you and offering himself for the whole world.

“Lord Jesus, I believe you are truly present in the Eucharist. I adore you and I give my life to you." (Meditation on John 6:51-58, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Deuteronomy, Moses is renewing the Covenant through a remembrance of past manna in the desert.  The Hebrew word translates as “What is it”. The manna, water for thirst and the protection against danger reveal the care of God for the deepest hunger is nourished in the desert. The participation in the Body and Blood of Christ as expressed by Paul affirms his understanding of being in contact with the very person of Jesus. The Bread of Life Discourse in the Gospel of John moves from beginning as Wisdom of Incarnate and that beginning at verse 51, His “sarx” for the life of the world, a phrase for our physical body. In the Prologue of John’s Gospel, the Word became Flesh, the physical presence of Jesus. The celebrant at the altar, like John, declares not softening “drink His blood”. We are truly participating in Jesus becoming one with us. In marriage, in John, two flesh become One. We are marrying our God and we affirm being raised on the last day, a future eschatology. In the Eucharist, the Presence of Jesus is a promise of truly more Presence in Heaven. Friar Jude comments on the apparent disconnect of some fundamentalist literal interpretation of the Word  cannot see the true flesh and blood in this passage.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, reflects on how understanding the Trinity, as relationship, encourages us to live in greater communion with God and life. Can we all be converted, not to Jesus (as strange as that must sound) but to the Trinity, where Jesus Christ actually exists? Only inside the mystery of the Trinity can we begin to understand what Jesus is saying, the mystery he is inviting us into, and the meaning of salvation.

The wonderful thing about living in our time is how many scientists, such as physicists and astronomers, are confirming that this interconnected nature of reality is true. Looking through microscopes or telescopes, they see this same pattern of utter relationship. They are discovering that if reality is anything, it’s absolutely relational. It’s something we used to know, something our ancestors knew on an intuitive, spiritual level. But since the Enlightenment, at least in the West, many people basically dismissed the possibility of interconnection or interbeing. We’ve primarily produced individualists who try to save themselves by believing things intellectually. This view of religion is not a mystery of participation. It’s not a mystery of surrendering; no surrender is even necessary. Instead, it’s a quest to get the right information, which only makes us more proud and self-centered. It makes community less possible, which is clearly evident from our politics and our international relations. Everyone is put back upon themselves, where the only question Christians seem to ask is “How can I get to heaven?” That’s not even a gospel question! It’s a question of the ego. It’s not the question of the Trinity within us. (Rohr, n.d.)

We humbly and hopefully implore the Spirit of the Trinity to inspire our life in a community of love as disciples of Christ and children of the Father.

References

Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 8 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/8?2 

John, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/6?51 

Meditation on John 6:51-58. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/06/07/1587025/ 

Naatz, S. (2026, June 7). Daily Reflection June 7, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-june-7-2026 

1 Corinthians, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/10?16 

Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?12 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). A Pattern of Relationship. CAC.org. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-pattern-of-relationship/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). He Who Eats This Bread Will Live Forever. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved June 7, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Ambition for Service

 The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, proclaim our mission to live in mutual love with the people in our environment.

Care in Service

The Reading from the First Letter of Peter proclaims Mutual Love of Christians.

* [1:19] Christians have received the redemption prophesied by Isaiah (Is 52:3), through the blood (Jewish symbol of life) of the spotless lamb (Is 53:7, 10; Jn 1:29; Rom 3:24–25; cf. 1 Cor 6:20).

* [1:22–25] The new birth of Christians (1 Pt 1:23) derives from Christ, the imperishable seed or sowing that produces a new and lasting existence in those who accept the gospel (1 Pt 1:24–25), with the consequent duty of loving one another (1 Pt 1:22).

* [1:23] The living and abiding word of God: or, “the word of the living and abiding God.” (1 Peter, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 147 exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created.

* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water. (Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus presents a Third Prediction of the Passion and notes the Ambition of James and John.

* [10:38–40] Can you drink the cup…I am baptized?: the metaphor of drinking the cup is used in the Old Testament to refer to acceptance of the destiny assigned by God; see note on Ps 11:6. In Jesus’ case, this involves divine judgment on sin that Jesus the innocent one is to expiate on behalf of the guilty (Mk 14:24; Is 53:5). His baptism is to be his crucifixion and death for the salvation of the human race; cf. Lk 12:50. The request of James and John for a share in the glory (Mk 10:35–37) must of necessity involve a share in Jesus’ sufferings, the endurance of tribulation and suffering for the gospel (Mk 10:39). The authority of assigning places of honor in the kingdom is reserved to God (Mk 10:40).

* [10:42–45] Whatever authority is to be exercised by the disciples must, like that of Jesus, be rendered as service to others (Mk 10:45) rather than for personal aggrandizement (Mk 10:42–44). The service of Jesus is his passion and death for the sins of the human race (Mk 10:45); cf. Mk 14:24; Is 53:11–12; Mt 26:28; Lk 22:19–20. (Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

Edward Morse comments that, in today’s gospel, we see that even the apostles behaved selfishly and badly. Even though they lived with Jesus and heard his teachings, this intimate knowledge did not prevent them from seeking after their own glory at the expense of others.

This divine mystery was not yet known to them. But it has been made known to us. Does that knowledge have the potential to change the way we see ourselves and others? Even those we find difficult to love?

As we journey on toward our eternal destiny, we are accompanied by these mysteries. Let us draw hope and strength for the journey, even though we do not understand them fully. Perhaps for now it is enough to know that we are deeply loved, even when we struggle to love others, who are also deeply loved by God. And perhaps grace and mercy will be nearby, helping us to love more fully, as we ought. Thanks be to God. (Morse, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 10:32-45 comments that, at first glance, being a “servant” doesn’t usually seem appealing. It’s only when we remember how much Jesus loves us that our hearts begin to soften. It’s as we recall that we were created to give him glory by reflecting his own generosity and kindness. The simple truth is that the more we give of ourselves, the more Christlike we become. We grow in holiness. We become more peaceful, more contented, and even more joyful!

Probably the best way to look at our call to serve is to look at Jesus. He is the perfect model of what a life of service looks like. We can ask him, “How can I serve you today, Lord?” If the opportunities before you seem mundane—like making a meal for your family or taking an elderly parent to a doctor’s appointment—remember Jesus’ great promise: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Every opportunity to care for someone else is another opportunity to meet Jesus!

“Lord, help me desire to serve you and your people above all else!” (Meditation on Mark 10:32-45, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that the passage today is in tenor with 1 Peter yesterday that presents the ransom by the blood of Christ as God’s plan from the beginning and we are called to live godly lives and dedicate ourselves to brotherly love as the text notes that all flesh is grass as a symbol of our limited life. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus predicts His Passion in Chapters 8, 9, and 10. He presents the image of  the Son of Man from Daniel 7 who has authority over all the nations and the Suffering Servant from the poems in Isaiah that define the mission of Jesus. James and John ask to sit on His right and left as they talk about inheritance and when Jesus speaks of death. They claim to be willing to take up their crosses. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus declares the Son of Man came to serve and not be served. We are called die in our ministry, a bit each day, to our selfishness to serve those who most need God’s love.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, envisions the Holy Spirit as the loving immensity of God’s presence within us. Consciousness, the soul, love, the Holy Spirit, on both the individual and shared levels, have sadly become largely unconscious! No wonder some call the Holy Spirit the “missing person” of the Blessed Trinity. No wonder we try to fill this radical disconnectedness through various addictions.

There is an Inner Reminder, an Inner Rememberer, (see John 14:26, 16:4) who holds together all the disparate and fragmented parts of our lives, fills in all the gaps, owns all the mistakes, forgives all the failures, and loves us into an ever-deeper life. This is the job description of the Holy Spirit, who is the spring that wells up within us (John 7:38–39)—and unto eternal time. This is the breath that warms and renews everything (John 20:22). These are the eyes that see beyond the momentary shadow and disguise of things (John 9); these are the tears that wash and cleanse the past (Matthew 5:4). And better yet, they are not only our tears but are actually the very presence and consolation of God within us (2 Corinthians 1:3–5).

You must contact this Immensity! You must look back at your life from the place of this Immensity. You must know that this Immensity is already within you. The only thing separating you from such Immensity is the ego’s unwillingness to trust such an utterly free grace, such a completely unmerited gift. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

We recognize our need for the inspiration and guidance of the Spirit as we proclaim our desire to work with Jesus in the mission to serve with love in our environment.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/10?32 

Meditation on Mark 10:32-45. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/26/1578480/ 

Morse, E. (n.d.). Daily Reflections. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-27-2026 

1 Peter, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/1?18 

Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?12 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Spirit Is Always with Us. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-spirit-is-always-with-us/ 

Law and Discernment

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to ponder if the approach we take to Laws and Commandments are blindly observant or overly self satisfying.

Law and Love

The Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy proclaims Advantages of Fidelity.

* [4:10] Fear: not in the sense of “be terrified,” but rather “manifest reverence or awe.” (Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 147 praises the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water.

* [Psalm 147] The hymn is divided into three sections by the calls to praise in Ps 147:1, 7, 12. The first section praises the powerful creator who restores exiled Judah (Ps 147:1–6); the second section, the creator who provides food to animals and human beings; the third and climactic section exhorts the holy city to recognize it has been re-created and made the place of disclosure for God’s word, a word as life-giving as water. (Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus presents Teaching About the Law.

* [5:17–20] This statement of Jesus’ position concerning the Mosaic law is composed of traditional material from Matthew’s sermon documentation (see note on Mt 5:1–7:29), other Q material (cf. Mt 18; Lk 16:17), and the evangelist’s own editorial touches. To fulfill the law appears at first to mean a literal enforcement of the law in the least detail: until heaven and earth pass away nothing of the law will pass (Mt 5:18). Yet the “passing away” of heaven and earth is not necessarily the end of the world understood, as in much apocalyptic literature, as the dissolution of the existing universe. The “turning of the ages” comes with the apocalyptic event of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and those to whom this gospel is addressed are living in the new and final age, prophesied by Isaiah as the time of “new heavens and a new earth” (Is 65:17; 66:22). Meanwhile, during Jesus’ ministry when the kingdom is already breaking in, his mission remains within the framework of the law, though with significant anticipation of the age to come, as the following antitheses (Mt 5:21–48) show.

* [5:19] Probably these commandments means those of the Mosaic law. But this is an interim ethic “until heaven and earth pass away.” (Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Hopp urges us to spend time drawing closer to Him and His Word – which is the profound answer to our world’s troubles.

Dear Heavenly Father, we all seek your blessings and guidance.  Your absolute truth provides all that we need to follow you and to experience your incredible blessings.  Help us to overcome whatever might stand in the way of our growing closer to you and faithfully following all that you have taught us.  In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen (Hopp, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Making daily progress towards God,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"As Christians, our task is to make daily progress toward God. Our pilgrimage on earth is a school in which God is the only teacher, and it demands good students, not ones who play truant. In this school we learn something every day. We learn something from the commandments, something from examples, and something from Sacraments. These things are remedies for our wounds and materials for our studies." (excerpt from Sermon 16A,1) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that in Deuteronomy Moses calls upon the people to follow the laws and avoid errors in understanding to placate the gods of the ancient world. If you broke the rules in ignorance, you were guilty. God told Israel exactly what was required of them. Matthew who was writing for Jewish Christians shows Jesus did not tell people to reject the Law but to fulfill it. In contrast, the teaching of Paul that we really don’t have to follow the law when we are acting with love was the influence in the majority of the Church of mostly Gentile Christians. Friar Jude notes that the Gentile Christians accepted Pau’s words rather than Matthew’s instruction. 

The Word Among Us Meditation on Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 asks who hasn’t struggled to keep the commandments? Who hasn’t bristled at their restrictions when we find it difficult to obey them, and even begin to resent the God who gave them to us?

God’s commands are a blessing and a protection for us—they guide us and help us to stay close to him. As the psalmist prayed, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). So set your heart on obeying the Lord’s commands today. He will give you strength and grace to abide by them. And when you do fall short, he will mercifully forgive you. What a great God we have!

“Father, thank you for the wisdom of your law.” (Meditation on Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9, n.d.)

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Father Greg Boyle who considers how many of the evils we witness today reflect the consequences of our painful disconnection from the God of love. He endlessly tells gang members that the God of love doesn’t see sin. Our God sees son (and daughter). “I believe that sin has no substance,” Julian of Norwich writes, “not a particle of being.” Then she says, “With all due respect to Mother Church … but this does not line up.” She couldn’t get sin to align with her God of love.

Boyle suggests a shift in emphasis when it comes to behavior:

The moral quest has never kept us moral; it’s just kept us from each other. So maybe we should abandon the moral quest, since it’s an Old World map, and embrace instead the journey to wholeness, flourishing love, and defiant joy. We don’t want to end up in Mesopotamia. Yes, we want to do the next right thing, but what is the next right thing and who is able to choose it? Only the healthy person can. So we help each other, not to make better choices but to walk home to well-being and deeper growth in love. (Rohr, n.d.)

We implore the Spirit to guide our understanding and observance of the Law in the light of the Law of Love as lived by Jesus.

References

Deuteronomy, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/4?1 

Hopp, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. On line Ministries. Retrieved March 11, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-march-11-2026 

Matthew, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?17 

Meditation on Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved March 11, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/03/10/1515595/ 

Psalms, PSALM 147 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved March 11, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/147?12 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Healing Acts of Connection. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved March 11, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/healing-acts-of-connection/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Whoever Relaxes One of the Commandments. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved March 11, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/