Daily Gospel Reflection
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May 8, 2019
Jesus said to the crowds,
“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.”
In the first chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus asks, “What are you looking for?” In today’s selection from John’s Gospel, Jesus again recognizes our hunger and promises to receive each of us, every part of us.
Trying to name their hunger, the disciples responded to Jesus, “Where are you staying?” “Come and see,” Jesus answered them. There is something attractive about Jesus’ response, something dynamic and challenging about the one who responds to our hunger with an invitation instead of an explanation.
Today, Jesus tells us he is the bread of life. Why does he compare himself to bread if he is a dynamic, challenging leader? What does it mean to follow someone who is like bread? Bread nourishes us, but it does not articulate instructions, organize meetings, or “do” anything at all on its own. It is at the mercy of our free choices. It is only taken, blessed, broken, and given, in freedom.
It is our part to “come and see,” to “look to the Son.” We do not see him in person, as the disciples did, but we do see him hidden in the sacraments and in our daily life. Hidden in the Eucharist, Jesus is dynamic and challenging, healing and merciful, when he travels from the altar into the deepest place in each one of us, where he makes his home.
Following Jesus includes following him into those deep, beautiful, sometimes frightening places in each of his beloved people, including ourselves, whom he promises never to lose. In following, may we see his love for each particular person, and allow all of these gifts, wounds, joys, and hungers to become, by grace, signs of love and eternal life.
Prayer
Dear Lord, how blessed are we to know that with you we have life eternal. There is no end with you. Even when we are faced with seemingly dark days, there is no need for panic or despair for nothing that happens today, or any day, can overcome us. Even death itself is not an end, for with you there is ALWAYS a new beginning, a new life. We are comforted by your promise. Blessed are you our God! Amen.
Saint of the Day
Peter of Tarantaise lived his vocation as a monk to the fullest.
He was born in 1102 near Vienne and joined a Cistercian monastery at the age of 20. He lived with such modesty, charity, and humility that people were moved and changed when they spent time with him. He was such a great witness of the religious life that many others followed him and joined the abbey as well. In fact, his whole family followed him and joined communities of their own—his mother, father, and siblings!
He was appointed as leader of a new monastery that was established at a crossroads in the desert mountains, and the community became known as a resting place for travelers. Peter began a hospice there for sick and poor travelers.
Soon, against his will, he was elected Archbishop of Tarentaise. He wanted to remain with the community, living a life of prayer and service, but had to be compelled to take on this leadership role. He obeyed, and found his new diocese to be in a terrible state—the clergy there were known for corruption and immorality. In a short time, Peter reformed the diocese—he established a strict rule for clergy, elevated good priests to pastoral roles, established new foundations to care for the sick and the poor, and constantly visited the people he served.
Miracles were attributed to him during this time—healings, and the multiplication of food during a famine. He became widely known as a wonder-worker, which increased his longing for the solitude he found in his life as a monk. After 13 years as archbishop, he one day suddenly vanished without a trace.
He was discovered one year later in a remote Cistercian abbey in Switzerland, where he had joined the community under an assumed name as a lay brother. He was ordered to return, and was warmly greeted when he got back to Tarentaise. He redoubled his efforts at leading the diocese, and took even greater care of the poor—twice he endangered his own life by giving away his own cloak in severe weather.
Religious and state authorities turned to Peter, a man of great peace, in moments of conflict so that he could effect reconciliation with his words and presence. He preached outspokenly and fearlessly in disputes over the papacy and between the kings of France and England, and his words were backed by miracles of healings. He died during one of his journeys for such a cause.
St. Peter of Tarentaise, you tried to run away from your duties as a bishop, but became known as a man of great peace—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Peter of Tarentaise is used with permission from Catholic Online. Last accessed March 6, 2025.