The Body and Blood of Christ, Year A
3-6 year olds
(Adults, you could begin by reading the Gospel aloud to the child. Alternatively, you could read the first paragraph of the reflection to the child, then read the Gospel, and then continue with the reflection.)
In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus tells us a little more about who he is. Listen:
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.
Jesus says that he is bread.
Bread that lives.
Bread from heaven.
That seems a little strange.
We know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. What does the Good Shepherd do?
He lets me rest in fields of green grass (Psalm 23:2)
Of course! The Good Shepherd feeds his sheep. Not just any grass. Green grass. There is no hurry. They can rest while they eat. Only the best for the sheep.
Jesus says,
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
The Good Shepherd cares so much for his sheep. He gives them his whole life. There doesn't seem to be anything he won't do for them. It seems that he loves them!
This is what Jesus does. He feeds. He gives his life. He loves.
I am the living bread
We know that at the Last Supper that Jesus celebrates with his friends, he takes bread and gives it to them, saying,
“Take; this is my body.” (Mark 14:22)
He gives his body to the disciples, in the bread. He needs his body to live, but he gives it to them. Like a mother who feeds her baby with the milk of her body, he feeds them. Everything he has, he gives to them. Only the best.
If Jesus gives them his body in the bread, if he gives them his life, how can he live? Has he not given his life away?
I am the living bread
We know that Jesus died on the cross, but on the third day, God raised Jesus to new life, life that can never end. Eternal life. So the life that Jesus gives, the life that is in the bread, it is eternal life.
Why does he do this?
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10b)
Abundant life. Full to the top and overflowing life. Eternal life.
Whoever eats of this bread will live forever
The Good Shepherd wants to be with his sheep forever. Living bread for eternal life.
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