In today's first reading from Acts 8, we see the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The Holy Spirit sent Philip to interpret the Scriptures for this man, and to baptize him.
In the Gospel reading, we continue with John 6. Jesus once again mentions manna to the people. "Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread come down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die." Jesus is, in essence, saying that He is the new manna.
The manna sustained the Israelite people on their sojourn in the desert. God gave it to them for their physical nourishment, and to reassure them that he would take care of their every need. There is an important similarity between the old manna and the new manna - they both were to be physically eaten. The people put the manna in their mouths, chewed it up and swallowed it. So it would be with the new manna. Only this bread would be for their eternal nourishment. The old manna was given by the Father from heaven. So it is with the new manna.
Father, thank you for sending the new bread from heaven. Strengthen our belief in the Bread of Life. Amen.
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