'I Am the Living Bread'

Last Saturday night into early Sunday morning, I lay in bed struggling to find a cohesive theme and outline for my homily. Usually by this time I have already written my homily, but approaching the mystical John Chapt 6 for a third consecutive week was posing a challenge. Towards morning, as I prayed between sleep and wake, I remembered this book (see picture) by my teacher and mentor, Fr Michel de Verteuil (RIP).

On waking, I searched for it in my study, and on finding it tucked it into my bag. I intended to share excerpts that I had underlined. But I was saved by Fr Tom, who informed me, on my arrival at the parish church, that he would be preaching the homily. The book is a gem, the pearl of great price, so I have decided to share this week’s reflections from excerpts. I don’t know if it is still in print, but if you can obtain a copy, you would be surely blessed.

‘The Eucharist, like all the sacraments of the Church, is not merely a source of grace, it is also a pedagogy, a way of teaching.’ pg 11

‘The Eucharist teaches us something that spouses, parents and teachers know well from their own experience - that love does not consist primarily of giving things, but of giving ourselves to be consumed by others.’ pg 12

‘…and only if we let them eat our flesh and drink our blood will they live in us and we live in them’ pg 12 (see John 6: 55-56)

My mother knew this well. Growing up with my siblings, while in my early teens, she would often say to us, when we were making excessive demands on her - ‘you all are sucking out all of my blood’

Mummy’s words embodied the very essence of sacrificial love described by Jesus. They weren't just expressions of fatigue; they were a testament to the depth of her love and the extent to which she gave of herself for her family. Much like the Eucharist, she taught us through her actions that true love is found in the self-giving, in the willingness to be "consumed" for the sake of others.

As I meditate on this, I realize how deeply these lessons have shaped my understanding of love, not just within my family but also in my ministry. The Eucharist, as Fr. Michel so beautifully explains, is not just about receiving grace but also about learning the profound art of self-sacrifice, a lesson I continue to learn from the sacred mystery we celebrate at the altar.

‘…when we eat food it becomes us. It is something of the same when we receive the Eucharist. If after communion, we ask the question ‘Where is Jesus?’ the answer is that he is now present in the people. He has given up his countenance and taken on their varied countenances’ pg 12

It is the same for all of us who have been truly loved by parents, spouses, and teachers. In ways, we are them. Their love, their sacrifices, and their teachings live on in us, shaping our thoughts, actions, and even our very being. Just as Christ becomes present in us through the Eucharist, those who have loved us deeply and sacrificially are forever part of who we are. Their love has nourished us, and in turn, we carry their spirit with us, reflecting their presence in the world around us.

Those words—‘I am the living bread’—are also a lesson for us in how to love others. Just as Christ became the living bread, broken and shared for the life of the world, we too are called to become bread for others. This means offering ourselves, our time, and our love without holding back, even when it demands ‘blood’ from us. In our relationships, whether with spouse, family, friends, or those we serve in our ministry, we are invited to be that living bread, nourishing others through our presence, our sacrifices, and our love.

In the same way that my mother gave of herself for us, we are asked to do the same for those around us. To love in the way that Christ loves is to become a source of life and strength for others, to be consumed in service to them, and in doing so, to find our true fulfillment. The Eucharist teaches us that love is not about keeping something for ourselves, but about becoming something greater—something that can be shared, multiplied, and given away.

NOTICE BOARD

Friends, I invite you to view my video on my Life Transitions program at the link below: