Jesus, the Bread of Life
This is the final year of the three year celebration of the Eucharist. In the Roman Catholic Tradition, Catholics believe John chapter 6, that Jesus gave himself and does so each day. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst”. He is the Bread of Life, the manna given by the Father. He told the people, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”
In 1982 I was a soldier stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in the reserves. When I arrived at my duty station, I walked into the hangar just after lunch. It was completely empty, which was unusual. As I walked the length of the hangar I could hear a single voice at the other end, so I continued to head toward the voice. I heard someone talking about Jesus. A major was witnessing to the soldiers about Jesus. I walked into the room and one of the young soldiers spoke up and asked me what I thought about this. I told him, “You should listen to him. He is telling you about eternal life.” Everyone’s attention went back to the major and he finished his talk. Later we introduced ourselves and I told him who I was and a little bit about myself.
On the next weekend I went to Mass and afterwards I met a family who invited me to dinner. On Sunday evening, I showed up at their house and knocked on the door. The door opened and within a very short time, a little six year old had her arms around my legs looking up at me. She said, “Jesus loves you’, and continued to hold on to me. I had a tear or two in my eyes as her mother came to the door and asked her to let go. I could not help in that moment to feel the presence of God through this little one. We went in to eat and during our conversation, they asked if I would like to go with them the next week to Louisville to Eucharistic adoration and a Mass. I told them I needed to check to verify whether I would have duty that night and I would get back to them the next day. I called back to let them know I would be free.
We drove to Louisville, not quite an hour away. During adoration, a group played and we worshipped and sang to God. Afterwards Mass started. Later after I received the body and blood of Christ, as I returned to my seat, I felt a great sense of wanting to kneel down. This was a make shift event, so they had folding chairs. When I got back to my chair, I worked my legs into the chair and knelt down. Within about 30 seconds, the people and chairs in front of me disappeared. Jesus stood before me. He looked at me much like the little six year old with love reaching deep inside of me. He reached inside his breast and pulled out his sacred heart. It shone with a light and he said, “Receive my sacred heart, receive my love. I want you to tell others how much I love them.” He then handed me his heart and it came inside me. I felt great love and peace inside. I don’t have words to describe this. I can only tell you that Mass was over. I don’t know how long I was there. The people waited for me and on our way home, I told them what happened.
They praised God for his great mercy in what he showed me. I have had many more experiences, but I continue to tell people how much God really loves them. He wants them to experience the reality of who he is. I want to invite you to read John 6 and 1 Corinthians 11 where Saint Paul talks about the Lord’s supper and the Eucharist. Ask God to help you to understand and allow him to share his love, joy and peace with you.