Bread is often the basic element of any meal. Fr. Joseph Dickan, SJ, reflects on how when Jesus says he is the “bread of life,” he is reminding us that he is the fundamental necessity of our lives. Based on the readings from the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Has a coach or teacher ever told you, “Go back to the fundamentals”?
Hi, I’m Father Joseph Dickan, and this is my one-minute homily.
When I started learning Arabic, I was surprised that Egyptians use the same word for “bread” and “life.”Desserts and fancy meals are great, but there’s a sense that bread is the essential food that gives us life.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us, “I am the bread of life.”He is the fundamental food that sustains us. When our spiritual lives feel dry, or when we struggle to find hope, Jesus doesn’t just offer us platitudes or instructions. He says, “Receive me.”
The heart of our faith is receiving Jesus himself. And as we return to that fundamental relationship with Jesus–in prayer and the Eucharist–we will receive new life.
Let’s get back to the basics.
