Jesus, in His role as the Bread of Life, has been sharing His teachings with us. While many found His words challenging and chose to depart, Jesus turned to His disciples and offered them a choice. Their response, filled with reassurance, was, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life.”

In place of doubt, Jesus gives us hope through His presence with us. Offering us eternal life, Jesus transforms the broken pieces of our lives into his body and blood. The bread of life is hope for a weary world searching for peace in our time. Following Jesus does involve grappling with His difficult teachings and uncertainty about our place in God’s plan. Do I trust that Jesus has the words of everlasting life? Where do I experience the real presence of Jesus in our world and in our lives?

Each individual must discern who Jesus is and, in doing so, determine the path of life they will follow. As part of the Christian community, every time we partake in communion, receiving the body and blood of Christ, we are transformed into His presence in the world. Sent by God, He has the words of everlasting life, inspiring us to be more like Him. 

The disciples are reminded that their faith in Jesus may be tested, but they can find solace in the fact that God will never forsake them.  Our faith calls us to follow Jesus, even in the face of difficulty and uncertainty.  Discipleship is rooted in a profound relationship with the Lord, a relationship where Jesus invites us to cast our cares, worries, pains, and disappointments on Him, knowing that He is always there. 

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