Reflection Date: April 23, 2026 | Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
Memorial of Saint Adalbert, Bishop and Martyr
Memorial of Saint George, Martyr
Daily Readings: Acts 8:26-40; John 6:44-51
Children of God:
In the early days of Christianity, believers were rooted in the Jewish tradition of observing the Sabbath on Saturday.
Yet something remarkable began to happen after the resurrection of Jesus.
The first Christians gradually shifted their primary day of worship to Sunday, the day of the Lord’s rising.
This was not simply a change of schedule but a profound expression of faith.
Sunday became known as the “Lord’s Day,” a celebration of new life and hope.
Central to this gathering was not just prayer but the breaking of the bread.
The Eucharist became the heart of their worship, where they encountered the living Christ.
Even in times of persecution, Christians gathered on Sundays, risking their lives to celebrate this mystery.
For them, the Eucharist was not optional; it was essential.
It was their source of strength, unity, and identity.
This historical shift reminds us that Sunday is not just a routine but a response to God’s invitation.
In the gospel of John, Jesus spoke about being the bread of life and about the Father drawing people to him.
He emphasized that those who come to him will receive life that endures forever.
His words pointed to a deeper reality that the Eucharist would later embody.
What are our inspirations for today?
First, our faith begins with God’s invitation, not just our initiative.
Jesus made it clear that coming to him is not only a human effort but a response to God’s call.
The Father draws people toward the Son, inviting them into a relationship that leads to life.
Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him” (John 6:44).
This revealed that faith itself is a gift, something initiated by God’s grace.
In our lives, we sometimes think that faith depends entirely on our own effort.
But the truth is, God is already reaching out to us.
Every desire to pray, every longing for meaning, and every step toward the Church is a sign that God is drawing us closer.
Second, the Eucharist nourishes us with a life that never fades.
Jesus spoke not only about coming to him but also about receiving him as the bread of life.
This was not just a symbol but a promise of real nourishment.
Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51).
This pointed to the Eucharist as the source of eternal life.
In our daily lives, we experience different kinds of hunger: physical, emotional, and spiritual.
The Eucharist responds to our deepest hunger.
It strengthens us, renews us, and unites us with Christ in a way that nothing else can.
We can reflect on these questions in our hearts. Do I recognize that my faith is a response to God who is already calling me?
How important is the Eucharist in my life and in my weekly routine? And in what ways can I deepen my appreciation and participation in the Sunday celebration?
Children of God:
The journey of the early Christians reminds us that faith is lived in response to God’s invitation.
The Eucharist stands at the center of this celebration.
Each time we gather, we are reminded of who we are.
And in this gift, we find the fullness of what we truly need.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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