Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
By calling himself the Bread of Life, Jesus troubles the Jewish people who have revered Moses as the greatest of all people to have walked the earth. Moses gave them the Law, he spoke face-to-face with God, and he led the people through the desert, during which the Lord provided them with Manna – bread from Heaven to eat. Jesus tells them that he is the true Bread that has come down from Heaven, the Bread that gives new life rather than simply prolonging the old life until death. Moses did great things in the desert, but all of those people still died. Jesus claims that he will give the people life unending.
It is no wonder that the crowds are troubled by what Jesus says. How could anyone claim to be greater than Moses or to offer life unending? If they paid closer attention, however, and understood what Jesus was doing, they would have recognized him as the Messiah, who fulfilled the promises God made with Abraham and Moses, who was promised by God to carry out these actions. They are surprised and confused by their Messiah, who also surprises and confuses us, too. We must always be open to being surprised by Jesus because he offers us a new life, which will be far greater than the life we live now.
Reflection by Fr. Victor Schinstock, OSB
Posted in Article for Easter, Daily Reflections