Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Saturday of the third week of Easter, May 10, 2025

Delivered by Meisye Laurencia from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 9: 31-42; Rs psalm 116: 12-13.14-15.16-17; John 6: 60-69.THE BREAD OF LIFE SUSTAINS US TO GOFORWARD The title for our meditation today is:The Bread of Life Sustains Us to Go Forward. The horse of the priest from alocal parish could only eat at certain stops, because there was food and drinkavailable to it. The priest, during his pastoral visit to the mission stationsin mountains, sat on the horse's back along with a number of other items kept inseveral sacks. The horse was the friend of the priestin the journey. Although tired and hungry, the horse was able to avade temptationto stop and look for food or drink. The available food and drink for the horsewere in the village, a place that was familiar to. The food and drink motivatedthe horse to walk in the same direction and it was impossible for it to changethe course. The horse did not care about the burden carried and how fatigue itwas. The horse only knew that later when arriving at the place intended tothere was always food and drink available to satisfy all hunger and thirst. Jesus Christ as our bread of lifekeeps us going forward as the one and holy Church to certain goal that His willand power had prepared for us. Like food that motivated the horse to go on, JesusChrist, our Guide and Teacher encourages and sustains us to go on and stay inHis company along the journey of salvation. He makes himself our everlasting foodand drink. Teaching and welcoming new membersinto the Church, repentance and self-renewal, healing as the apostle Peter didin today's reading, and building community, all these reflect how we as theChurch with all her members move forward to realize the works and mission ofJesus Christ. The Church must move and walk forward. Jesus Christ as our bread of lifeshould encourage, urge and even demanding when it comes to the need of changefrom old to new life. Eating the Body and drinking the Blood of Jesus Christare the same as using Jesus Christ in our bodies and souls so that His Holy Spiritalways controls us. The consequence is there, that we must do His will. Many people with freedom,responsibility and optimism accept that consequence with joy. Thay is why theEarly Church grew rapidly in numbers and they all expressed a deep gratitude forthis new experience of faith. This Church continued to grow until it becomesthe one and holy Church as of today. Our Church today remains following thepath of Jesus Christ and continue to move forward. But some people are having trouble inthe journey of salvation. They decline in their faith orientation. They preferanother path to follow. There are some members of the Church today reject theteachings of Christ and the Holy Church because for them, becoming member ofthe Church is too hard and demanding. Therefore, they take their own way tofind salvation. We hope that we are not included in this type.Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O Lord our God, praise and thank you for Jesus Christ Your son whois our way, truth and life. We hope we will be loyal to him now and forever.Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father ...