Incomprehensible mystery! Christ handed his life over to death to become the sacred food of divine nourishment to conquer death with the bread of eternal life. Yes, people quarreled about this. It is outlandish. The gift Jesus gives is the divine life that comes from the Father. In obedience to the Father, Jesus is the manna come down from heaven to feed our spiritual hunger for eternal life. This is not ordinary bread Jesus gives. This Living Bread acknowledges those who listen to the voice of the Father and possess the divine life, triumphing over death.

The first disciples faced murderous threats, imprisonment, and martyrdom. To give testimony to Christ was to risk death. Saul, a leader in the persecution of Christians, is chosen by Jesus and entrusted with the mission to the Gentiles. This is the conversion of the Saint Paul to be filled with the Holy Spirit, baptized, and an implication of the Eucharist; when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.

Saul was motivated to eradicate the Christians to prevent the increasing number of Jewish converts. Death was at work in Paul. And death continues to be at work in the conflicts, hostilities, and wars taking the lives of so many innocent people. We fail to hear the voice that asks, “Why are you persecuting me?” Paul found the answer in building vibrant church communities rooted in sharing the Word of God and living the Eucharist in service, bringing healing to others.

Let us Pray:

In the Light of the resurrection of your Son, open our eyes to see as Saint Paul was able to see Christ in the persecuted. Put an end to our quarreling with a willingness to share the healing love of the Eucharist, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Amen.