The Old Testament as well as the Gospel readings for this Sunday ask us to contemplate God’s generosity to His people – a generosity that is always greater than anything we can imagine for ourselves. After Moses guided the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt...
After Moses guided the Israelites from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, they complained that they were hungry. Despite the miracles that led to their release and the destruction of the Egyptian army that pursued them, they doubted God’s providence. But He still cared for them and fed them with quail and manna. Today’s Gospel comes right after the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. The crowds still want Jesus to perform more wonders. Instead He tells them that the Son of Man will give them food for eternal life. Our Lord reminds them that it was not Moses but His Father who fed the Israelites and now He is offering them something far greater. “For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.… I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:33, 35).
Christ is Himself the bread of life everlasting. While His listeners do not really understand what He is saying, in time Jesus’ disciples will experience the incomparable gift of the Eucharist. Through the sacrifice of His life, Christ not only provides for our salvation, but also enables us to take within ourselves His body, blood, soul and divinity. God’s bountiful mercy will always astound us – on earth and in heaven.