The Power of The Promise

Daily Reflection – 4/29/2020

Sacred Scripture

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. But I told you that although you have seen [me], you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him [on] the last day.”(John 6:35-40)

Reflection

Todays sacred scripture contains a profound beauty in the promises made by Jesus.

A beauty because the words speak to each of us regardless of where we might be in the continual journey to Christ.

Every person hungers for both physical and spiritual nourishment and replenishment. Its that subtle but never-ending ache inside that asks if we are on the right path, that wonders if we will be joining Him when we pass over, that reminds us that the things of the world are truly passing and there is something else.

To all of us, the only recourse to receive this reassurance we seek  is humbly to ask the only one capable of giving it; we must come before the Lord with open hands and an open heart. “Sir, give us this bread always.” It is a bread both from eternity and for eternity. It satisfies our deepest hunger. But the “bread from heaven” is no bread made by human hands. Christ can give himself only to those who recognize their need for him and who ask, “Lord, give us this bread always.”

Behind that reassurance is still another promise. It consists of these words: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me. Jesus’ words reassure us that Jesus is trustworthy.  It is true that we can come to Him, open our hearts to Him, become completely vulnerable to Him, and He will treat us with the utmost tenderness, respect, kindness and care.  Jesus will treat us with more care than we even treat ourselves! Know that He wants you to come to Him and to open your heart to Him completely. 

God takes the first step and remains open to anyone who is willing to come and receive the gifts that he wants to pour out. However, there will not be any coercion or pressure on the part of God. Those who come to receive from him must come freely and without reservation. The gift is ever available and free.  It is not for a select few but for all.

Jesus offers us the hope of sharing in his resurrection. Jesus rose physically never to die again. Those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior will be bodily raised up to immortal life with Jesus when he comes again on the last day. Do you know the joy and hope of the resurrection?

Prayer of The Day

“Lord Jesus Christ, let your Holy Spirit fill me and transform my heart and mind that I may choose life – the abundant life you offer to those who trust in you. Give me courage to always choose what is good, true, and just and to reject whatever is false, foolish, and contrary to your holy will.”

Daily Note

Could anyone have dreamt that God would descend among us as a man? Could anyone have imagined that he would descend further still to be our bread? To receive this unimaginable gift of his bread requires two things: “Whoever comes to me…” and “Whoever believes in me….” Coming to Christ requires moving—getting up from where we are, going to where he is, letting go of whatever our hands clench and turning our palms up to be filled with his gifts. To believe in Christ is to place our faith and confidence in him. It is to take him at his word and to accept in awe the truth of His presence in our lives.