John 6:51-58, Solemnity of Corpus Christi

Considering the increasing number of people acquiring diabetes, heart problem and arthritis, we can easily contribute these illnesses to the quality of food we eat. Thus, many people are now conscious of the food they eat. They want to live a longer life, but a healthy one. Their motto: GO HEALTHY, EAT THE RIGHT FOOD. It’s an option open to all, but sad to say, not everyone will go for it.

The Gospel today is offering us another life’s essential. Something which is non-negotiable, something that we cannot ignore, because it’s for our soul. If our body requires three meals to survive, our soul needs regular spiritual nourishment to survive life’s challenges. Unfortunately, many of us will never go for it. They don’t see its value. 

Jesus said, “I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world.” (John 6:51).

In this Gospel reading, Jesus is offering us of something that will satisfy our souls. He wants us to LIVE FOREVER by feeding our souls with his Body and Blood. He wants us to TAKE GOOD CARE OF OUR SOULS, and not just our bodies.

We become what we eat. Let’s pause for a while and ask ourselves: Aside from eating healthy food for a healthy body, are we aware of the necessity of regularly feeding our souls with the Body and Blood of Jesus? Is this something non-negotiable to us? How do we show our love to the Eucharist? Do we take extra effort to attend the Mass more than once a week? 

Our devotion and our attitude while attending the Eucharist will speak of our desire to receive Jesus. We should have that intense hunger and thirst to receive the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist, believing that Jesus himself is deeply offering a communion of himself with us. And when Jesus is with us, we recognize that we don’t need much in our life, for the love of Jesus is more than enough to happily sustain us – until we reach the final days of our life. 

Stay spiritually healthy. Eat more of Jesus in the Eucharist. You will have more of his love, compassion and joy. For we become what we eat. 

“This is the bread which has come down from heaven; it is not like the bread our ancestors ate: they are dead, but anyone who eats this bread will live for ever.”