He Got Up and Was Baptized
It is interesting that the Acts of the Apostles states that after being knocked off his feet, Saul was baptized and then, “when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.” They are talking about physical food in that case but the theme of strength and eating continues into the Gospel reading.
I Have Life Because of the Father
We have come through Lent and Holy Week and the Passion and Death of Christ. We are now in the miracle time of the Resurrection and of Christ’s intimate presence with us in the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit. Christ says, “Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me.” We are being fed every day in the Eucharist; do we realize how miraculous that is? Do we truly give thanks for this gift?
Whoever Eats This Bread Will Live Forever
The challenge of Easter is to look for and be open to the miracles and the new life that follows the Resurrection. Everything seems the same and yet nothing should be the same. The Acts of the Apostles are full of the startling words and preaching of the formerly fearful disciples who suddenly become fearless and full of the Holy Spirit. We may not experience the same outward transformation, but we can be changed within. We can and should reflect more deeply on the “bread that came down from heaven,” the gift given us every day, the gift that strengthens us for renewed life in Christ.
