The Word of God this Sunday invites us to deepen our understanding and strengthen our faith in Jesus as the Bread of Life that comes down from heaven (John 6:41-51). Unlike any earthly bread, this heavenly bread is not made by human hands but by God Himself. It requires a leap of faith to believe that receiving this bread brings us into eternal life. Faith in Jesus, born of our relationship with God, nourished by prayer and the Eucharist, is the key to embracing this divine gift.
The Jews murmured when Jesus proclaimed, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” Despite their deep religious roots, they struggled to accept this truth. Spirituality and religiosity alone do not guarantee belief in Jesus with one’s whole heart, soul, and strength. Jesus recognized this when He said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” This highlights that our faith is a gift from God, chosen not by our merit but by His grace. As Catholics, we are called to be witnesses of this profound mystery in the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith.
An Invitation for Those Who Have Stopped Coming to Mass in the Mackenzie Catholic Parish – “Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I warmly invite you to come back to Mass and experience the joy of receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is our most precious gift, the Bread of Life that nourishes us and strengthens us on our journey. No matter how long it has been, you are always welcome. Our community is incomplete without you. Join us in celebrating God’s love and mercy, and let us grow together in faith and unity as we receive the grace of the Sacraments. I look forward to welcoming you back with open arms.”
Finally, the first reading from 1 Kings 19:4-8 recounts the struggles of the prophet Elijah, a great man of God who faced deep despair. In his moment of weakness, Elijah wished for death, but the angel of the Lord encouraged him, saying, “Get up and eat.” Inspired by this, even when we face unwanted situations, exhaustion, busy schedules, fears of judgment, and moments of despair, we are reminded to continually partake in the Eucharist, especially at Sunday Mass. For our journey of faith is long, and our belief in Christ as the Bread of Life must be sustained. As we receive the Eucharist, may we be transformed into what we have received – the Body of Christ.
Fr. Tien Cao
