Greg Friedman, OFM

Being a Christian in gospel terms is serious business indeed. The context of Christian hospitality is self-sacrificing love–the love that leads to accepting one’s cross.

Jesus tells the crowds that he himself will be true food and drink for them. Jesus the living bread will give them eternal life.

Through the Trinity we have strength to live in relationship to one another. We’re to encourage one another and live in peace. Such a relationship is God’s plan for us.

As Jesus’ followers who remain “in the world”, we need support and affirmation to continue living out the word entrusted to us by Christ.

The Church is called to go to all the nations to make disciples. That’s a big task, but the “good news” today is that we are equipped to carry out that mission.

Today’s Scripture selections continue the Easter instructions for the newly-baptized. The “First Letter of Peter” encourages those fearful of persecution to remember that Christ also suffered persecution.