Presence

When I come into Your presence, O Lord,
I know I am in the presence of my Creator.
You created me out of love.
You even know the number of hairs on my head.
Your presence, O Lord, is the greatest gift of all.

Freedom

Thank you for the gift of freedom, Lord.
Grant that I may always choose to follow You.
Keep me ever mindful of Your ways,
of Your love and concern for all people.

Consciousness

How am I really feeling? Lighthearted? Heavy-hearted?
I may be very much at peace, happy to be here.
Equally, I may be frustrated, worried or angry.
I acknowledge how I really am. It is the real me that the Lord loves.

The Word of God

³⁰So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us, then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? ³¹Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” ³²Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” ³⁴They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

³⁵Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Inspiration

Like many of us, the Jews were always looking for certainty in both the human and divine spheres. John’s gospel has no account of the institution of the Eucharist, but the whole of chapter 6, which we are reading this week, is full of Eucharistic themes. Jesus makes it clear that he is the bread of life, the true bread, which sustains us during our lives, and he invites us to avail ourselves of it constantly.

Conversation

Jesus, You speak to me through the words of the Gospels.
May I respond to Your call today.
Teach me to recognise Your hand at work in my daily life.

Conclusion

Filled with the loving presence of God,
I ask Him to bless me and guide my steps
as I go to do His work in my daily life.

Amen