John underlines for us, with almost exaggerated emphasis, the personal nature of our Christian faith, and its effects. Christianity is based on our relationship with our God.

Christ is the gift to all believers: "I am the bread of life" (Jn. 6:48) and the promise/assurance is "everyone who believes in me has eternal life" (Jn. 6:47). There is no other way of having this gift except through a relationship with God - in faith. This faith is not an option for us. It is gift. It is God who teaches us directly through the breath of the Spirit within us. (Is. 54:13; Gen. 2:7).

Jesus is the gift of the Father: "I am the living bread that has come down from heaven." Until and unless I am in relationship with God I cannot have life. To be in relationship I need to eat the bread of life - Jesus Himself - who becomes victim and life-giver. He becomes giver and gift at the same time. This is Eucharist.

Believers are the present/gift which the Father gives to the Son, in order that the Son might give them life in His dying and rising. This life is available now to us and continues forever. The end time cannot add to what is given us now, since the gift is always Jesus Christ - the same yesterday, today and forever. The eunuch in the first reading discovered eternal life and went away rejoicing in his new-found faith.