Jesus, the Bread of Life

08-18-2024Pastor's LetterVery Rev. Richard C. Wilson, VF, Pastor

Dear Friends in Christ,

God’s Word, as well as the Eucharist, is the repast that feeds our soul. It would be reckless not to faithfully take part in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that Christ has left for us:  Bread from heaven and the Word of God.  The Gospel enlightens our mind; the Eucharist nourishes our soul.  Christ’s promise makes a new light shine within us: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.”

Holy Communion not only nourishes the soul but also gives us strength and makes our spirit enjoy the sweetness of divine things.  It is not the sacrament that becomes, like the bread and wine, part of our substance, but rather we who mysteriously become like Christ.  The Jews argued, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”  We can no longer argue as they did for we have received the gift of faith. We must adore, offer thanksgiving and dedicate ourselves. We do this in His memory, to remind ourselves of that night when he promised to remain upon the altars until the end of time, insensitive to the pain of loneliness he would experience in so many tabernacles.

The Eucharist, the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ, is not only strength and food for the road; the Eucharist is not only for the present.  It is also a pledge of future glory.  What does “Whoever eats this bread will live forever” mean?  Already from the present moment, the Eucharist plants a little “heaven” inside us, because in the Eucharist we receive the suffering and glorified Christ. We are pilgrims of this land, yet citizens of another country towards which we journey and where we will dwell eternally.

Our final destiny cannot be this world. God opens our poor existence on to the horizon of eternal life. His promise must inspire us. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood already has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.”  How do we nourish our hope and yearning for the Supper of the Lamb? Let us ask the Lord to welcome us into heaven because we have fed on the bread that raises us to true life.

All the best…in Christ,

Father Wilson