Eastertide Day 20 Friday May 9 2025
John 6: 52-59 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
In this passage, Jesus speaks of Himself as the “living bread” that came down from heaven. His words challenge His listeners, as He declares that whoever eats His flesh and drinks His blood will have eternal life. This teaching points to the profound mystery of the Eucharist, where Christ offers Himself fully to us. It is a call to deep communion with Him, an invitation to be nourished by His very life.
During Eastertide, as we celebrate the resurrection, this passage reminds us that Jesus’ gift of Himself is the source of our spiritual vitality. It is through His sacrifice and the new life we share in Him that we are transformed. Jesus’ words invite us to trust in His promise of eternal life and to remain united with Him through the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Let this be a time to reflect on the depth of God’s love poured out for us, and to renew our commitment to live as people nourished by Christ, bearing witness to His life in the world.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the living bread that gives life to the world. Thank You for offering Yourself completely for our sake, that we may have eternal life. Help us to approach You with faith and reverence, trusting in Your promise to nourish our souls. May we be transformed by Your presence within us and live as witnesses of Your resurrection. Strengthen us to share Your love with others and to bring hope where it is needed most. We ask this in Your holy name. Amen.