Gospel: John 6:22-29

 

In today’s Gospel we begin the discourse on the Bread of Life, which is extended during the next six days, until the end of the week. After the multiplication of the loaves, the people follow Jesus. They had seen the miracle; they had eaten and were satiated and wanted more! 

 

When the people found Jesus in the synagogue at Capernaum, He had a long conversation with them, called the Discourse of the Bread of Life. It is a series of seven brief dialogues which explain the meaning of the multiplication of the bread, symbol of the new Exodus and of the Eucharistic Supper. The conversation of Jesus with the people, with the Jews, and with the disciples is a beautiful dialogue, but a demanding one. 

 

Jesus tries to open the eyes of the people in a way that they will learn to read the events and discover in them the turning points that life should take. It is not enough to follow behind miraculous signs. Man does not live by bread alone. 

 

 The people, while speaking with Jesus, always remain more annoyed or upset by his words. But Jesus does not give in, neither does He change the exigencies. In the measure in which the conversation advances, fewer people remain with Jesus. At the end only the twelve remain there. This new food will be given by the Son of Man, indicated by God Himself. He brings life which lasts forever. He opens for us a new horizon on the sense of life and on God.