Which is your favorite bread? Apart from rice, bread is something Filipinos cannot live without. I’m a big fan of bread. Eating bread was one of my fondest memories of my father. His life-giving generosity served as an inspiration.

The readings this Sunday encourage us to partake of the bread that does not perish but rather makes us live forever. The first reading recounts that Elijah is at the point of giving up on his mission. He is so exhausted and discouraged that he begs for his death. The Lord responds, but not in the way he had hoped. Instead of taking his life, the Lord grants him life by providing food and drink, not once but twice, allowing him to carry on with his life and mission.

In the gospel, Jesus claims to be the giver of life, saying, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” True enough, it would not work without him. He alone nourishes our soul; he alone makes us feel loved and gives us the strength to love and forgive; he alone provides the peace we seek; he alone can sustain our mission; and he alone promises eternal life. He is the best bread ever.

Jesus’ mission was summed up at the Last Supper. Francisco Palau wrote in his book My Relationships with the Church, “Christ gives his body and blood, gives Himself completely to his spouse, the Church” (MR 3, 4a–b). He gave us not only food but also his very self, his own life, flesh, and heart, so that we could live. He alone can sustain and guide us on our path to holiness and into the next life. Now, what is your favorite bread? As we believe in and experience the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, come, let us taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Community “Queen of Carmel”
Lucena City