In the Gospel reading today, we continue in John 6 - the Bread of Life discourse. Jesus says, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."
The first reading today is from 1 Kings 19. It is the story of Elijah starting a journey through the desert. He goes but a day and gives up, ready to pack it in. But an angel comes and tells him to eat and drink twice. "He got up, ate, and drank; then strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights to the mountain of God, Horeb."
Do you see the connection? Elijah was "strengthened by that food" for a journey that lasted forty days. In the Bread of Life discourse, Jesus tells of the Eucharist. This is our food that will strengthen us, not just for forty days, but for eternal life.
Father, may we always be strengthened by the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. We thank you for this greatest gift of all. Amen.
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