The word “Christian” literally translates to mean “follower of Christ”. That means we are followers of Christ, but many of us have probably not ever thought about what it actually means to follow him. Maybe we never even consciously decided to follow him, but we have always gone to Church because that’s how we were raised, or that’s what our spouse does.

In the Gospel readings over the past few weeks we have witnessed the unfolding of Jesus’ discourse on the Eucharist. Today we reach the climax of his teaching and get to meditate on his words about the Bread from heaven that he longs to feed us with. These are words of deep riches that unveil to us how desperately God desires intimacy with each one of us.

Have you ever heard something that sounded completely outlandish? The Jews in today’s Gospel are not just shocked by Jesus’ teaching, they are likely disgusted and offended. Is Jesus of Nazareth really telling them that He IS the Bread of Life, he is the fulfillment of all the Scriptures? He is the “New Passover”? This is scandalous to them. Often times, living our faith can cause scandal. It’s radical for us to cling to the truths of the faith and to Christ in today’s culture. Let’s take some time to learn more about the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith, today. Jesus knew we need physical signs, and so he gave us his very self, hidden under the appearances of bread and wine, to nourish us on our journey in this life.

Have you ever asked yourself why God doesn’t just perform miracles all the time to reveal his presence so that everyone will believe in him? It’s a valid question, but one of those questions that we might ignore or push to the back of our mind because we don’t think there’s a good answer. But these questions have answers in Catholic theology, and we are called to pray about these questions, because God will illuminate the answers to them.

When was the last time you experienced a situation that you thought, “there is no solution—it is impossible” Often we feel cornered by circumstances in life and that there is no possible way out. And yet, miraculously, things all end up working out, for our good. Today’s Gospel highlights Jesus’ love for his people as he makes a seemingly impossible task of feeding 5,000 people come to fruition with hardly any food to begin. Let’s work this week on placing our trust in God’s love for us.

We are lost in the dense jungle of this world and are made for heaven. We all long to get there, but we encounter so many needs along the way. If we aren’t careful, searching to fill those needs can replace our true compass. Instead of focusing on searching for home, we can be consumed by never being hungry, cold, or lonely. When that happens, we end up living a life full of the shells of the things we are made for. Our true hunger and loneliness can’t be filled by this world. But God hasn’t left us alone in this jungle – he sent us his only Son to lead us home to him. Jesus is our true compass. He is our Good Shepherd. He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Heroes in many stories are usually the strongest, the smartest, or the most beautiful people who conquer evil by overpowering it in some way. Even if the heroes don’t start out that way, a crucial part of the story usually consists of the hero getting stronger and preparing for battle. They know that everything is up to them.

We have all been in need of something at some time— whether we needed to ask for a favor from someone or had an urgent need that had to be met. When it comes to asking God for things, what do we ask of him? Do we seek comfort, health, wealth, job security, or some other goal? Or, do we seek virtues like patience, humility, compassion, meekness, and so on? Let us turn to God and ask him to grant us the spiritual gifts we need, as we cooperate with his grace and learn to turn to him in all our human struggles.

Healing is something we all seek at some point in our lives. Whether we have battled a life-threatening disease or suffered through a common cold, we have all sought physical healing.

The more we come to know God through study and prayer, the more we realize how truly his thoughts are not our thoughts, and our ways are not his ways (Isaiah 55). What we assume God would do is so often challenged by how the events of our life actually unfold. Today’s readings draw us into this mystery of God’s complete other-ness.

Knowing what is about to come, Jesus shares a meal with his disciples. Sharing a meal with family or friends is an intimate and joyous occasion. Gathering around the table and sharing food together are often some of people’s favorite memories they reflect on. Jesus wants to have this closeness with us, and thus invites us to share in a meal with him every Sunday. What an amazing gift he leaves us with. An invitation to break bread with him.

Have you ever felt a tug to do something out of the ordinary? Maybe say something to someone you’ve never met before or call up an old friend to check in? This tug can make us feel uncomfortable; we aren’t sure why we have this feeling we need to act, but we feel almost disobedient if we don’t follow through. Oftentimes, these promptings are from the Holy Spirit, who puts things on our hearts in order for us to be Christ to others. Through Baptism and Confirmation, the Holy Spirit dwells in us. The next time you feel prompted to reach out, be bold in love and ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of courage.

Fire. It’s intense, beautiful, dangerous, overwhelming, warm, and all consuming. Fire can be used to warm us on a cold night, or as a way to gather friends on a summer evening. It can also yield immense destruction. Fire is powerful. This is the image that we hear about today as we learn more about the Holy Spirit. The Apostles have tongues of fire descend upon them. At our Confirmation, our hearts are set ablaze with the Holy Spirit. Think of a blazing fire, it consumes everything nearby, without hesitation or prejudice. Are we really ablaze with the love of Christ? Do we radically and unabashedly share him with those around us, setting their hearts ablaze, too?

This Sunday we are presented with a Gospel reading that should deeply challenge us. These are readings that remind us of who we really are—disciples of Jesus Christ. We are not only his friends, called to stay near to him, but we are also his missionaries, called to go out and to spread his Good News.

The Catholic Church plays a vital role in our ability to remain on the vine throughout all of history. As new circumstances arise, God has given us the gift of the Church to help us recognize where his love is so that we can remain with him. We know that God does not ask anything from us without giving us the grace to respond, and that grace always flows through his Church so that we can be assured that we are truly following him in all truth.

When St. Paul commands us to “pray always” in his first letter to the Thessalonians, we tend to let it go in one ear and out the other. “Of course, he can’t possibly mean that! He really just means to pray a lot.” We so easily filter the words of Scripture based on what we think God wants from us, but then we end up missing his true message. God actually wants us to always be praying, just like St. Paul told us! Our readings today point towards this vision God has for us, particularly when Jesus gives us the image of the vine and the branches. He promises that if we remain in him, we will bear much fruit. If always staying connected to the Lord seems out of reach, then let’s remember that when God gives a command he always gives us the grace to respond. How can we stay attached to the vine and learn to pray always?

God needed to reach us, to come in a way that we would recognize him and hear his voice, and so God made himself a mere human. What amazing love Our Lord has for us! Let us spend some time together today reflecting on this love as we read of it in the first two readings and then as we hear of Christ as our good shepherd, keeping us safe from harm.

Each Sunday Jesus invites you to share a meal with him—to encounter him in the most intimate of ways. How do you approach the Mass? Do you show up late, wearing what you worked in all day, and with your laundry list of “to-do’s” on your mind? Jesus wants to encounter us and touch our hearts every time we meet him in the Eucharist. Take some time this week to reconsider the invitation of the Mass.

God’s merciful love is the Good News of the Gospel, and the reason why Christ suffered, died, and rose again. The Catechism goes so far as to say that, “The Gospel is the revelation in Jesus Christ of God’s mercy to sinners” (CCC 1846). God’s mercy reached down to us in our sinful state and sent us a Savior, who took on human flesh so that we might have life with him.

Happy Easter! This is truly a day to rejoice and be glad. In fact, the Catechism tells us that Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the “Feast of feasts.” It is the day that we look forward to all year long, in much the same way that we look forward to Heaven our whole lives long. Today we celebrate what Jesus has done for us and the ultimate destiny he won for us this day. Easter is all about Heaven!