So they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 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.”

Have you ever just wanted to give up on something – anything – and say “Oh, the hell with this.”?  I strongly encourage you not to do this with your faith.  We must be vigilant in our faith.  I know there are some out there reading this thinking there just isn’t any hope in saving me because of the wrongs I’ve done.  Drinking, fornication, pornography, abusive, drugs, addictions…we could probably keep going on and on.  But today’s readings offer us – in my interpretation – hope to overcome all of these.

Take a minute to read them here.

We read about Stephen being stoned to death supporting the cause of Jesus.  What is encouraging to us about that?  Take a closer look at the last line of the reading…

Now Saul was consenting to his execution.

Still not seeing it?  Saul was a very devout Jew and not only consented but played a hand in the persecution/execution of many a Christian.  A very bad man – beyond the hope of eternal life in heaven.  Keep reading on…

Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God.
My trust is in the LORD;
I will rejoice and be glad of your mercy.

And in our Gospel…

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.”

Whoever comes to me – WHOEVER COMES TO ME!  That’s the good news being trumpeted in today’s Gospel.  There are no prior conditions or sins being considered as a termination for acceptance.  WHOEVER comes to me will NEVER hunger, WHOEVER believes will never thirst.  Again, Saul was a very harsh man when it came to Christianity.  He was NOT a believer – he was a persecutor.  What happened?  The Lord knocked him off his ass is what happened.  Saul, having been knocked down began to see the light; SAUL changed his name to PAUL and after a few years of repentance, went on to be one of the greatest lovers of our Lord.  Again, WHOEVER COMES TO CHRIST will have eternal life.

So if you are one of those who consider themselves beyond the hope of eternal salvation – allow yourself to get knocked off your ass by our Lord.  Repent and believe because the promise of Today’s Readings are meant for you — YOU.  Now is the acceptable time for YOU.

Do something great for our Lord today – go to HIM, for WHOEVER goes to HIM will never hunger and will never thirst again.

God’s will, not mine, be done.

Be not afraid; just have faith.

Jesus, I trust in You.

He must increase; I must decrease.