First Reading: Exodus 16,2-4, 12-15    Psalm 77

Second Reading: Ephesians 4, 17, 20-24   -    Gospel: John 6, 24-35

"now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do". St Paul addresses these words to the Christians in order to help them. But who are the Gentiles? And how do they behave? They are men and women who live according to their feelings, their instincts, who listen to their thoughts and make them the rule of their lives. They are not men and women of other times, perhaps they are us.

The apostle’s words are, in fact, very up-to-date. Today it is parents themselves, even those who consider themselves Christians, who teach their children to listen to their desires without bothering to teach them to discern where those desires come from. Their children do what they "feel" like and are convinced that they are doing the right thing because that is what everybody is doing! Couples make choices, concerning home, work and children according to their commodities, according to their whims! And one could go on. But listen to the apostle: "I testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do!" Unfortunately some Christians think that Jesus is there to satisfy our needs for health, for work, for leisure, for our love lives and social lives! Jesus taught another way of life, he left us other interests. He was not known as one who only thought of himself or one who will satisfy our every wish. "You did not so learn Christ! – assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him!" If we approach Christ, we approach him to be transformed, changed to become obedient servants, to do the will of the Father, to love everybody, to offer him our lives, including any sufferings. It is no good thinking of Jesus as a servant to our wishes, but as he who gives new sense to our lives, to the extent of transforming them and making them a gift from God for others.

Too often, we resemble the people of Israel when they murmered against Moses and against God. After the great signs that they had already received and that were proof that God was with them and was helping them, at the first difficulties they lost faith and complained and spoke ill of Moses and even of God! Ungrateful people, both superficial and incapable of trust! Such were also the crowds who followed Jesus: superficial, incapable of trusting and of reading the signs. Those crowds who ate of the five loaves of bread, return again to ask for more bread. They don’t come to say: since you were sent by God, Jesus, we have come to obey you, to live as you teach us to; no, they are looking for bread the easy way. Too often these are our prayers: give me, allow me, let me have, heal me. How much better to hear the words: here I am! I offer myself you, I will give, whatever you ask, you are the Lord! You know me and my dear ones well, so here I am, let me do your will!

Jesus is compelled to reproach and implore. "Do not labour for the food which perishes, but the food which endures for eternal life!" At last they ask: "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" And he can reply that what the Father would like most, would be for them to take seriously he whom the Father has sent. He did not send him on a whim or because his works and his presence were optionals, but because they were necessary for man’s salvation. They have an intuition that something must change, but they don’t believe him, they want other signs: the feeding of the five thousand with the five loaves was not enough! What little faith there is in mankind!

The revelation that Jesus makes on this occasion, despite the superficiality of the speakers, is truly beautiful and great: "I am the bread of life!" We know these words and can experiment the truth of them in depth and daily. Jesus is the bread of my life. I live off him. Every day I spend with him is full, beautiful, rich, great, important and serene!

Jesus, you are the bread of my life! Your presence fills my heart with peace, joy, the certainty of being loved, the certainty that my life is of value and is useful for others. Your words, your being, the warmth of your heart all fill me. When I am with you,I do not need to search for anything else, for you are the fullness of life. I desire nothing else, I am no longer thirsty, when I am with you I can rely on you! I am no longer a Gentile! Thank you, Lord Jesus!