Our Venerable Father John, Disciple of Gregory the Decapolitan (c. 842)
Read
Acts 8:18-25; John 6:35-39
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
There are several “I AM” statements of Jesus that are found in the Gospel of St. John. They include:
1. I am the bread of Life (6:35,41,51)
2. I am the light of the world (8:12; 9:5)
3. I am the door of the sheep (10:7,9)
4. I am the good shepherd (10:11,14)
5. I am the son of God (10:36)
6. I am the resurrection and the life (11:25)
7. I am the way, the truth, and the life (14:6)
8. I am the (true) vine (15:1,5)
Each one of the “I AM” statements represents a particular relationship of Jesus to the SPIRITUAL needs of men and women. Jesus is the LIGHT in the darkness, the GATE to security, and the SHEPHERD that guides. He is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. In every one of these we see that Jesus wants us to receive him, not for the gifts he can give us, but for what he can be to us.
Jesus says the words he speaks of is about the spirit. It is the spirit that gives us the life, not the flesh. By faith we partake in Christ. Eating and drinking is the reception of God’s grace by believing in Christ. Seeing and believing in Christ is equivalent to eating and drinking his flesh and body. Jesus underlines the necessity of feeding on him by faith to have eternal life. The Eucharist represents the communion of the believers in his body and blood. The Lord’s supper signifies our participation in Christ by faith and the benefits of eternal life through him. Eucharist is the fulfillment of Jesus’ sacrifice. Receiving his body and blood through Eucharist is absolutely necessary of salvation.
There are many people around us who are hungry for Jesus’ words of hope and comfort. When we develop such a hunger, it would be satisfied. If we take the Bread of Life into our life, our lives can be restored to the true way of Christian spirit. Without the spiritual food, our soul will wither and die. In the satisfaction of that spiritual food, we will discover it is not “eternal youth” but “eternal life” that we are searching for. That moment will bring perfect contentment in our life.