“I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture… I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (J 10:10).
Our Lord, who described himself as “the Way”, now calls himself “the gate”. He would like to open for us the gate to life so that we might have not only life, but have it more abundantly. God wants for us everything in abundance, because nothing limited can satisfy our hearts.
“The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth; by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia” (Alleluia versus)
“Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.” (J 6, 68-69)
“You have the words of eternal life”. We are invited to listen to Our Lord every day, especially during the Holy Mass. “The words of eternal life” can change the way we observe the events of present time. Sometimes we need bigger perspective to see in the right way: “it’s good, because…,” sometimes we need His correction, and sometimes need some adjustment. Always we need to believe He really is the Holy One.
“Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life” (Alleluia versus)
“Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry My name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel, and I will show him what he will have to suffer for My name.” (Acts 9:15)
Could you believe: almighty God needs us. We know the history of Paul, his persecution of the Church, his dedication to destroy any kind of relationship with Jesus and the evil things he had done to the holy ones in Jerusalem. “And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon Your name.” This man was chosen by God to be the instrument to carry His name.
God can see in us the good which is hidden even from us. Fortunately – because if it was only our decision, how many apostles would have never received a chance to proclaim the Gospel: not enough saint, too many mistakes made in their lives, and so on. God’s grace can change persecutors into Apostles, sinners into saints, ordinary men into heroes.
“Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood, remains in me and I in him, says the Lord.” (Alleluia versus)
“‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’ So he invited Philip to get in and sit with Him.” (Acts 8:30-31)
“To get in and sit with him”. This meeting based on the Bible is one of the first “Bible study groups”.
God’s words hidden in our words. It is unbelievable that our words can accommodate His words and describe all His miracles done for us. When we listen to His words, we can receive all His love, compassion, care and mercy. When He says: “Whoever believes has eternal life… whoever eats this bread will live forever,” it means exactly that. The Holy Mass is the most unique place where we can “get in and sit with Him,” and get closer to Jesus.
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live forever” (Alleluia versus)
“I will not reject anyone who comes to me.” (Jn 6:37)
Yesterday Jesus promised us “whoever comes to me will never hunger and thirst” and today continues by saying He “will not reject anyone who comes to” Him. The most secure place to come is with Jesus, where there are no lines, no selections, no conditions, just full acceptance. It doesn’t mean there are no rules and no commandments; it means you can bring to Him every sin and every wound, and He will listen to you and will do everything “not to lose you.”
“Everyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day, says the Lord” (Alleluia versus).
“‘Lord,’ they said, ‘give us this bread always.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.’” (Jn 6:34-35).
Hunger and thirst. We know these needs very well. Not only as the lack of bread or water, but also, more importantly, as the lack of life. How often do we experience these needs in our families, our marriages, our jobs, our neighborhoods… when there is no reason to stay alive any longer or no motivation to get up in the morning, empty presence of your husband/wife, children not sharing their lives with you, work without any sense except for earning money…
He is the answer to all our needs. He does not only tell us day by day that we are important, we are His children, brothers and sisters, but He also gives us Himself. Totally. Without any expectation. Just for us. And for our salvation.
“Sing praise to our God, all you who fear God, both small and great, for now salvation and strength have come, and the power of his Christ, alleluia” (Entrance Antiphon).
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the One He sent.” (Jn 6:29)
It is not only my work, but also God is helping me to believe. God takes care of all the aspects of my life: physical, intellectual, spiritual and religious. He is our Father and as a Father He is thinking about me and takes care of me as a whole person. My spiritual life is most important because it grants my eternal life. God’s love would like to have me with Him in heaven. His words come every day to protect this life in me, guide me, encourage me and help me in day by day situations.
“One does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God” (Alleluia versus).
“…they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive.” (Lk 24:23)
He is alive! This message is announced to the world as the most important news. Every God’s promise is based on this fact; everything He said, everything He did and everything He promised is real, because He is alive. Even the Angels are announcing this news.
When we are alone, when nobody is around us to remind us “that He is alive,” we should listen to our Guardian Angels. Part of their mission is to keep this news always “fresh” in our heart and soul. When we invite them into our daily activity, they will keep us on track, reminding that with Him everything is possible, because He is alive.
“Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; O sing to glory of he’s name. O render him glorious praise, alleluia.” (Entrance Antiphon)
“And whatever you ask in My name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in My name, I will do it.” (J 14:12-14).
Our Lord is always connected with His Father. Everything in His life has the same purpose – to glorify His Father’s name. When we pray His prayer “Our Father,” we comprehend how much He is concerned about our needs. Nothing is too small or banal, as when we ask for bread.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord; Philip, whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Alleluia versus)
“Philip answered him, ‘Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many’?” (J 6, 7-9)
Both were afraid “it would not be enough”, and “what good are these for so many,” but there is one important difference between Philip and Andrew. Philip was looking for money, a large sum of money, Andrew started from what they could have now: “there is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.” They weren’t even Andrew’s, but he was looking for anything. Just for the beginning, just for the start. For Jesus it was enough.
Many saints started from this point, like St. Teresa of Avila: “Teresa alone can do nothing, Teresa with Jesus can do everything”. When we give our “almost nothing,” “what good are these for so many” to Jesus, He can use it and make miracles.
“No one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christus, alleluia” (Communion Antiphon).
