18 April 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections

#OnlyByGraceReflections #CFC #CouplesforChrist #FeastoftheChairofStPeter

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TOPIC: DO WE BELIEVE IN THE REAL PRESENCE OF JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST?

First Reading: Acts 8: 26-40
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 66: 8-9, 16-17, 20
Alleluia: John 6: 51
Gospel: John 6: 44-51

In today’s Gospel, Jesus said to the crowds, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him and I will raise him on the last day.” (John 6:44) Here our Lord reveals an important aspect of our spiritual journey. We are not simply walking toward God – we are being drawn by the Father. Grace and mercy is upon us because of the initiative of God. Last week’s Gospel speaks of the Lord’s abundant love for us and He does not ration His gift of the Spirit. To ration is to parcel out, to give in limited amounts. God does not limit His gift to us – He gives it all, fully and freely. This limitless love is rooted in the Father.

In addition to water in the desert – the Sacrament of Baptism; He gives us manna in the desert – the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Eucharist surpasses the manna of the Old Law. The Eucharist is the “Bread that comes down from Heaven so that one may eat it and not die”. (John 6: 50) The Father draws us to Christ in the Eucharist because He wants to give us eternal life – “Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:51)

This is the 1438th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Rouquel Ponte, a member of the CFC Board of Elders, as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS]