HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE 3RD WEEK OF EASTER
THEME: Jesus is our true living bread which has come down from heaven.
BY: Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA
HOMILY FOR THURSDAY MAY 5 2022
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 65:8-9,16-17,20
John 6:44-51
*FROM THE FIRST READING*
In the first reading we have an Ethiopian returning home from his pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He stops to read the Scriptures and he is very touched by a passage from the prophet Isaiah. It leads him to ask questions which eventually results in his receiving baptism into the church at the hands of Philip.
*FROM THE GOSPEL READING*
In the gospel reading of today, Jesus speaks of the bread that he will give as his flesh for the life of the world, a clear reference to the Eucharist. Jesus goes on to say, ‘the bread that I shall give is my flesh for the life of the world’, the term ‘bread’ begins to acquire a Eucharistic meaning. Jesus will go on to speak about the need to eat his flesh and drink his blood, which has even clearer Eucharistic overtones. Yet, eating the bread that is Jesus, in the sense of believing in Jesus, comes before eating his flesh or his body in the Eucharist.
*CONCLUSION*
For a second and third time in this Gospel, Jesus claimed to be bread come down from Heaven. His flesh is life-giving and is meant for the whole world. Without Jesus’ suffering in the flesh, dying in the flesh, and rising into eternal life, we would be doomed in our flesh. “He who is all-knowing knew of nothing more that he could give than the Eucharist. He who is all-powerful could not do any more than he does in the sacrament and he who is all-loving had nothing more that he could give.
*LET US PRAY*
Lord, I believe that eternal life comes from eating your Body and drinking your Blood. Help me to always believe, to always respond to the gift of faith I have been given. Help me, by my life, to witness to the difference this makes in my life.
we ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Fr. Diotacious Chikontwe SMA