B: 19th Sun of OrdTime (12 Aug 2018) - BREAD OF LIFE OR LIVING BREAD - Jn 6:41-51

Jesus introduces himself today under two yet almost similar titles. In v. 48 he says, “Ego eimi ho artos tes zoes” which is generally translated as “I am the bread of life”. Three verses after he adds, “Ego eimi ho artos ho zon” rendered in English as “I am the living bread”. What is the difference between “bread of life” and “living bread”, aren’t they one and the same?

The former has the Greek phrase “tes zoes” in the genitive or possessive form but is adjudged as either an object or explanation of the subject. Thus, “Bread of Life” connotes that Jesus is the bread that gives life. “Life” here is the object received as one partakes of the bread; it is the by-product of eating Jesus as bread (v. 50). The latter uses “ho zon” as an adjective, modifying the noun “ho artos”, thus becoming, “living bread”. “Living Bread” is a description of the subject, that it is existing, persisting, and relevant even at the present time. Jesus is the bread that continues to live even today. Rightfully, this anticipates the sacrament of the Eucharist which portrays Jesus as truly physically present today in the sacred species.

Being parts of the Mystical Body of Christ as Christians, we share the same two identifications of Jesus. We are both “Christians of Life” and “Living Christians”. By “Christians of Life” we should be advocates of life: we should value human lives, protect the lives of both the unborn and born, and fight structures that treat human beings as cheap disposable pieces. At the same time, we are also called to be “Living Christians”, i.e., we should be always alive, healthy, cheerful and vibrant. We should showcase the happiness within us through our joyful living and witnessing of God’s giftedness to all of us.

Some societal leaders today tend to dichotomize the two ideas: that the “right to protect the lives of the oppressed” is in contradiction to the “right of the public to live their lives enjoyably”. Take for example the current migrant-refugee crisis in Europe. Sadly, the great majority of EU countries are closing their doors to asylum seekers transported in makeshift rubber boats (Spain is laudable for receiving them when others do not). Their basic argument is by catering to the lives of the itinerants, they are depriving their own native citizens (who pay taxes) enjoyable lives away from the threat of potential criminals and economic opportunists. However, they should be mindful that more important than their comfort are the actual living bodies of those at the verge of perishing at the sea.

In the Philippines, the current president delivered a similar rhetoric that received much applause from the assembly of senators and congressmen last July 23, 2018. As a blow against those who oppose his bloody Drug War and champion the lives of drug criminals while allegedly disregarding the peace and security of the rest of the population, he said, “Your concern is human rights, mine is human lives”. What? When is human rights the antonym of human lives? We should be aware that the 3rd article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 is “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” Hence, human rights and human lives are not contradictory; they supplement one another.

Let us remember that the right for life is as important as living a decent life. That is why in our First Reading the life of Elijah is preserved by the angel of the Lord even if he is at the point of surrendering it (cf. 1 Kg 19:4-8). Herein, God sees that Elijah cannot witness to the truth of the faith if he is already dead. The same goes with the lives of so-called “menace of society” (drug addicts and refugees alike), they cannot transform their lives to be better if they are already dead. Let us ask ourselves: How can we ever enjoy our daily dinner knowing that outside our homes many are dying either by famine or by violence?

Jesus, in presenting himself both as “Bread of Life” and “Living Bread,” is seeking the welfare of everybody, saints and sinners alike. May we all witness to the “value of lives” so that we can display to the world our true Christian “living values”.

- Rex Fortes, CM