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In today’s Gospel Story (John 6:24-35) Jesus says two important things: “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he has sent”; “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst”. In the Alleluia verse we hear, “One does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God”. We hear these words in the setting of whatever is going on in our life at the time, and they can be as personal as we allow them to be. It is important to be open to God’s word however it is spoken.

A bit of background. This morning I’ve been having an unexpected and meaningfully delightful text chat with the wife of a student from forty some years ago. She talks about how proud she is of her boys, both older and younger. We’re also chatting about suffering, and agree there are a lot of people hurting. Unexpectedly this chatting has changed the whole tenor of what I’ve been writing this morning. So, what to do?

I’m becoming increasingly aware of the great suffering going on all around me, both from personal relationships, and  simply listening to the headlines and news. People are hurting locally and all over the world. As I prepare for liturgy this weekend, give a homily, to celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick with friends, I believe that I’m being asked to live by whatever “word comes forth from the mouth of God”. This word is not always clear or easy to hear, yet it always turns out to be meaningful, if only in retrospect. I’m wondering what the Scriptures are saying to me this morning. Is there something I’m being asked to do, or not do?

Jesus is telling me, maybe even reminding me, that “this is the work of God, to believe in the one he has sent”. One the years believing in Jesus has grown, deepened, and become very real in different and unexpected ways, not many of them on the easy side, probably not recognizable from the perspective of the new priest I was back then. While I kinda like where I am now, I don’t know how I made it this far, except for the grace of God. It’s been quite a journey filled with  many unexpected twists and turns, as life has been for each of us. When I was in the seminary, and even as a new priest, I never expected I would ever be in the army or in combat. Yet, three years after I was ordained, I was commissioned into the Army, and a few months after that I was in VietNam. At the time it was chaotic, but looking back it all makes sense, as life does for us. In VietNam I learned what it was for me to serve as a priest: do what I have to do to take care of my people, all of them, whatever it takes. Jesus, the Bread of Life, took on a whole new meaning as I experienced what mass, in various forms, meant to us soldiers, not all of whom were Catholic, and that did not matter at all. In VietNam, and later in other interesting places,  a lot of good happened we celebrated Eucharist in many places and various circumstances. Christ happening in us as we gathered together was very real, although I don’t think I had the words back then to describe just what it was. Maybe I was learning to listen, to be open to God happening in people, not always easy. Maybe a reminder that every one of us as we are is important.

I think I’m beginning to understand a little deeper what Jesus meant, ”I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst”. It’s not just pious words or holy thoughts. It’s a way of living life every day. He is as real in my life as I let him be. When we gather together in our big churches to celebrate Eucharist, it’s often hard to understand Jesus moving among us, inviting us to follow him and live as he lived. The priest is up in front, wearing fancy clothes, saying the prayers, and preaching. At times Jesus being present as we celebrate Eucharist is real to me, a joyful and happy experience, but I don’t know how to convey it to the folks I’m celebrating with. It’s our call to ask the grace of going deeper in being open to Jesus and responding to what he asks us to do. Mass is not about making Jesus present on the altar. It is about us responding to Jesus’ call to live as he did, to reach out to those hurting and suffering in our life, those we know personally, and those we don’t. We can’t ignore the pain our systems cause, migrants at our borders and in camps throughout the world, the pain of  current political rhetoric, our LGBTQ+ sisters and brothers being condemned and judged, often allegedly in the name of God, simply for how they see themselves or who they love, victims of violence in Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, and many other places. People face systemic discrimination, poverty, climate damage. Is Jesus, the Bread of Life, saying something to us in all this? Blaming others and doing nothing ourselves does no good.

I believe in Real Presence, probably not in the way I did a long time ago. It’s much more real. Christ is present among us as we celebrate Eucharist, inviting me to take him with me and bring him to hurting folks wherever they are. I pray to be open to him, to let him move me to where he wants me to be, to grow, let go of my prejudices and my fears, perhaps to think differently and come to recognize him in new and unexpected places and situations. I can’t do much in the big picture, but I can try to bring Jesus with me to my daily living. It’s important to rememberJesus never told his followers to worship him, only to follow him and imitate him, which is a lot harder than worshipping him. Maybe some disturbing questions here. Is Jesus moving me to anybody who needs him in me yet who I don’t know or even want to know? Is Jesus asking me to move in a direction I don’t want to go because I’m afraid of where it might take me? An I putting limits on what I am willing to hear Jesus say? Am I just writing nice thoughts, but not backing them up with action? Being always open to Abba without any conditions or limitations is important. 

My whole morning has changed completely because of an unexpected text conversation. I’m grateful it happened. It’s a reminder that God’s word sometimes might come through unexpected ways, perhaps even texting. Maybe we can all get together sometime soon. I’m still learning. it’s important always and in everything to be open to God without any conditions, and always ready to be surprised, and just go where it takes me.  Just sayin .  .  .