Today's gospel, Thurs 8 May
Bread of Life
'I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’
(John 6: 51)
Early Christian depiction of an Agape feast
Fresco from the Catacomb of Priscilla
2nd century, Public domain
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agape_feast_07.jpg
Today's gospel John 6:44-51
No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.”
Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live for ever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.’
Sacred Space
You can find a gentle prayer guide here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-05-08/
Christian Art
"In today’s Gospel, Jesus makes a profound and startling declaration: “Whoever believes in me has eternal life.” He doesn’t say will have, as if eternal life is only a distant promise after death, but has (present tense). This reminds us that eternal life begins here and now, for those who live in communion with Christ. Through faith and through being nourished by his body—the true manna from heaven—we already participate in the divine life that never ends. Each time we receive the Eucharist, we are not simply remembering a past event or awaiting a future hope; we are drawn into the living reality of God’s Kingdom, here and now! De Clerck’s painting, with its union of Scripture and sacrament, illustrates how God feeds His people still, offering us today the bread that sustains not just for a lifetime, but for eternity."
"In today’s Gospel, Jesus makes a profound and startling declaration: “Whoever believes in me has eternal life.” He doesn’t say will have, as if eternal life is only a distant promise after death, but has (present tense). This reminds us that eternal life begins here and now, for those who live in communion with Christ. Through faith and through being nourished by his body—the true manna from heaven—we already participate in the divine life that never ends. Each time we receive the Eucharist, we are not simply remembering a past event or awaiting a future hope; we are drawn into the living reality of God’s Kingdom, here and now! De Clerck’s painting, with its union of Scripture and sacrament, illustrates how God feeds His people still, offering us today the bread that sustains not just for a lifetime, but for eternity."
Image from Le Pain de Vie
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A song
I Am the Bread of Life, by Toolan, sing by Notre Dame Folk Choir
https://youtu.be/dX4uC3a7RC8?si=P6giZ3LgjD22OSyY
Prayer for this week
Collect
Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples with the sight of the risen Lord:
Give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened and sustained by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
