TOPIC: THE BODY OF CHRIST
1. STORY
One morning at breakfast, five-year-old John and his brothers and
sisters were told by their mother that they had no food in the house to eat. There was no bread, no eggs, nothing to eat;
but if they prayed to God, he would give them food. So little John, on his way to school, entered
the church and went up to the altar. Looking
around carefully and seeing no one there, he prayed to God in a loud voice
saying, “Dear God, we have no bread, no eggs and no milk. My mother said if we asked you for food, you
would help us.” Having finished
praying, he left the church to school. Upon
his return home, he opened the door and saw bread, milk, eggs and other food. He shouted with joy telling his mother that he
prayed to God and his prayers were heard just as his mother had told him. Yes, his mother replied but told him it was a
kind woman who had heard him pray in church. She purchased the food after hearing John prayed
for help. God helped them through this
kind woman. God, through the Body of
Christ, provides us with spiritual food.
2. GOSPEL, JOHN 6:51-58
A) I MYSELF AM THE LIVING BREAD COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN
Jesus helped people in many ways while on earth. He cured the sick, calmed the storm on the sea, and multiplied bread feeding over 5,000 persons. He not only has bread for our bodies, he has spiritual bread for our souls.
B) IF ANYONE EATS THIS BREAD, HE SHALL LIVE FOREVER
Food brings us health. The
spiritual food Jesus provides for us gives us health forever which is eternal
life.
3. APPLICATION TO LIFE
A) THE GREAT GIFT OF SPIRITUAL FOOD
i) Jesus freely provides this spiritual food, the Eucharist, at Mass. There is no need to go to a store to obtain this wonderful gift. There is no need to spend a lot of time preparing it as is necessary with ordinary food.
ii) We should receive the Eucharist at each Mass we attend if at all
possible. This food helps us to be
spiritually strong so as to live our lives and be disciples of Jesus.
iii) We must always be grateful for this spiritual food provided by our
caring Jesus. We have done nothing to
deserve it.
B) THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE
We know that good food is an important way to stay healthy. Even though this is the case, we know that
eventually our health will decrease with age. This material food will give us health for a
limited amount of time. On the contrary,
the Eucharist will give us health forever, that is, eternal life. We do not know how this is possible, but we
believe what Jesus tells us that this spiritual food will bring us eternal life.
How blessed we are.
4. CONCLUSION
Just as Jesus provided food for five-year-old John through a kind woman,
so does Jesus provide us with spiritual food through the Mass. This food brings
us health forever, which is eternal life. We should receive the Eucharist every time we
participate at Mass. We should be
grateful for this great gift.
