Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 18, 2024

Date:   Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter

Scripture Text:  John 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowds: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him on the last day. It is written in the prophets:

They shall all be taught by God.

Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today continues our reading of Jesus’ “Bread of Life Discourse” as recounted in the Gospel of John. In today’s reading, Jesus reiterates that He has been sent by the Almighty Father and that the Father draws us to Christ. Jesus then repeats that He is the bread of life from heaven. He then shocks the crowds by telling them, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world."

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I believe truly that Jesus is “the Way”? Do I accept that Jesus gave His flesh for the life of the world?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, I believe You are Son of God. I turn to You and open my mind and heart to You as my Savior. Daily help me to choose You, to open myself to You, allowing You to sustain me and to bring me to eternal life.