Bread from Heaven

 

Do you remember in the Book of Exodus, the story about the grumbling  Israelites in the desert? (Exodus, 15)

They were upset because they had followed Moses into the desert, only to find themselves in bad circumstances, hungry and feeling like they had journeyed to their death.

When Moses turned to God about their situation, God promised to send them ("rain down") bread from heaven, which came in the form of manna.

If you jump ahead today to the Gospel of John (Chapter 6), Jesus is telling everyone that HE is the Bread of Life "come down from heaven." 

Do you see the connection between the Old Testament (manna) and the New Testament (Jesus)?

The manna that the Israelites received would satisfy their hunger temporarily, but Jesus is more than that--if you eat his Body, you will live forever.

These scripture passages are Eucharistic, revealing a great deal about who Jesus is and why he was sent by the Father.  During this Easter season, we have some rich readings that help us delve deeply into the mystery of Jesus and the Eucharist.

It is a lot to take in, but so worth it.  

I hope you are enjoying this joyful season of the resurrection.

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.com
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
Check out my YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy

 

Feeling like an imposter?

 

 

Have you ever worked with someone who seems to have it all together? Or maybe a family member whose confidence you simply cannot match?

We need to be careful not to become jealous in these situations, staying confident that we are doing exactly what God wants us to do with the skills he has given us.

There is something called "imposter syndrome," which, despite your qualifications and giftedness, can leave you feeling inadequate and interiorly doubting yourself.

The term "imposter syndrome" refers to the idea that you think you are a fraud, or "imposter," because of how you feel internally, compared to your external "performance."

The sad result of the syndrome is that it might prevent you from doing all you are capable of doing because you are paralyzed by the tension between how you feel and what you do.

If this is something you are dealing with, here is a link with more information that you may find helpful:

https://www.cronecorkill.co.uk/article/how-to-tackle-imposter-syndrome/ 

Remember, you are wonderfully, uniquely created by God who loves you.  You are always enough!

Happy Easter!

Janet Cassidy 
janetcassidy.com
Follow my Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
Check out my YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy

What are you working for?

 

 

I was reading a post from some people who were complaining that milk purchased at my local grocery store was always going bad before its expiration date.

I am thinking they are right, because when my milk seemed a little off, I questioned it, but then, noticing it was not expired, assumed my nose must be off.

When the idea of "perishing" came up in the Gospel of John (Chapter 6:27), Jesus wasn't talking about milk when he said, "Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures for eternal life." 

Surely, none of us would ever work hard for something that is just going to go away in time, would we?  

Well, uh, maybe. 

I would suggest that too often we do focus all of our energy on those very things that will not lead us to eternal life.

Jesus told the group that the "work of God" (the food that endures for eternal life) is to "believe in the one he sent."  In other words, believe in him. 

Jesus knew, as we do, that belief in him changes everything and moves us to love greater, to be more generous, to care for each other and to be selfless, i.e., do the work of God!

But, the group wasn't really quite sure about all that, so they asked him for a sign so they could believe.

"I am the bread of life," he told them.  If you see me, you have your sign! 

That beautiful sign, the Real Presence of Jesus that continues in the Mass today, renews us and fills us with the strength and motivation we need to work for food that never perishes.

Happy Easter!

Janet Cassidy
janetcassidy.com
Follow my Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/
Check out my YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy