Bread of Life References

The “Bread of Life Discourse” from the Gospel of John
Our Reflection on the Eucharist

August 30, 2009

Now that we have completed our five-week reflection on the Eucharist, the Mass, and the “Bread of Life Discourse” from John.s Gospel, it might be edifying for us to see in one place the many, many references to the Eucharist that have passed before our eyes, through our lips and into our ears and hearts over the course of these days. There really has been a plethora of images and references! Perhaps this list might serve as a helpful guide in your personal prayer. It can serve as an aid for “mystagogia,” that is, spending time remembering, reflecting on and processing what has been experienced and celebrated in the liturgy. Use a thought or two every day in your meditation.

—compiled by David Orzechowski, Liturgy & Music

 

From the Scripture Readings

“Sir, give us this bread always.” (Gospel, 18th Sunday)

“I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to me will never hunger and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (Gospel, 18th Sunday)

“Get up and eat, else the journey will be too long for you.” (Reading I, 19th Sunday)

“I am the bread come down from heaven. (Gospel, 19th and 20th Sundays)

“All who eat this bread will live forever.” (Gospel, 19th and 20th Sundays)

“The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (Gospel, 19th and 20th Sundays)

“Wisdom…has dressed her meat, mixed her wine, spread her table.” (Reading I, 20th Sunday)

“Wisdom says….Come, eat of my food..” (Reading I, 20th Sunday)

“My flesh is true food and my blood is true drink.”
(Gospel, 20th Sunday)

“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them.” (Gospel, 20th Sunday)

“The one who feeds on me will have life because of me.”
(Gospel, 20th Sunday)

“…we are members of His body.” (Reading II, 21st Sunday)

 

From the Prayers of the Mass

“Lord, we receive the sacrament which celebrates the memory of the death and resurrection of Christ.” (17th Sunday)

“Lord, you give us the strength of new life by the gift of the Eucharist.” (18th Sunday)

“…the sacrament of our salvation.” (19th Sunday)

“…a holy exchange of gifts…” (20th Sunday)

“…may we receive the gift of yourself…” (20th Sunday)

“By this sacrament, you make us one with Christ.” (20th Sunday)

“Lord, may this Eucharist increase within us…” (21st Sunday)

 

From the Psalms

“The hand of the Lord feeds us.” (Psalm 145 – 17th Sunday)

“You give them their food in due season.” (Psalm 145 – 17th Sunday)

“The Lord gave them bread from heaven.” (Psalm 78 – 18th Sunday)

“Humans ate the bread of angels.” (Psalm 78 – 18th Sunday)

“Food sent in abundance” (Psalm 78 – 18th Sunday)

“Taste and See the goodness of the Lord.” (Psalm 34 – 19th, 20th and 21st Sundays)

 

Concepts and Thoughts from the Homilies

17th Sunday – Dinner Impossible – Over 1 Billion Hungry in the World (1 of every 6); Food waste in the U.S.; Nothing is impossible when we do our share and trust that God will do the rest.

18th Sunday – Grumbling in the Desert – Grumbling is never helpful; Belief in Jesus brings us satisfaction; “It.s not we who keep the faith; it.s the faith that keeps us!” and the Eucharist keeps us.

19th Sunday – Cheetos vs. Apple – We know what.s best for us; the Eucharist satisfies our emptiness, and sometimes we only realize this when we are away from it.

20th Sunday – “Real Whipped Cream” sign – True Food and True Drink; Real Presence; Can.t convince anyone, but there are implications if we believe; reverence and mindfulness when we receive Communion; treat our bodies with reverence; we become what we eat, which is more Christ-like; treat others with reverence and respect.

21st Sunday – Choices – Brett Favre chose to join the Vikings. We choose how to respond to his decision, even if we don.t care. We make hundreds of choices each day. Joshua and Peter choose to follow the Lord. How does our life reflect our choice to follow Jesus?
—Fr. Joseph Feders, OSB

 

Concepts and Phrases from the

“Liturgy Spotlight” bulletin features

“Let us be “really present. to the “Real Presence..”

“In the liturgy, “time drops out…you are there!..”

“The Liturgy of the Word, especially the Gospel, is the oven in which the Holy Spirit bakes the Eucharistic bread.”

“The Liturgy of the Word, especially the Gospel, is the cask in which the Holy Spirit ferments the Eucharistic wine.”

Three ancient silences of the Mass:

  • Opening Prayer: “What brought you to Mass today?”
  • Prayer Over the Gifts: “What are you offering today?”
  • Prayer After Communion: “With whom are you in communion?”

“In the liturgy, heaven and earth meet. Heaven and earth are wed.”

“You are my bride, come to the marriage feast.”

“Our holy remembering…”Anamnesis.…reminds us of what God is doing now.”

“To remember Christ.s death directly involves us in his life that brought him to his death.”

“The first effect of “Communion. is not personal. Rather, it is to draw us closer to each other.”

“Charity, justice and evangelization are thus the normal consequences of liturgical celebration.”