Sunday Gospel Reflection
Lord, give us this bread always
Introduction:
Then and Now
Are you a "news hound?" Do you like to watch new talk shows or listen to
political debate? Do you like to engage others in discussions of politics? Why?
In these uncertain times, many people find comfort in a world view that divides people
into opposing camps. Us vs. them. Conservative vs. liberal. Those on the right concern
themselves with preserving timeless, almost eternal values to enrich life today. Those on
the left desire to liberate the oppressed from the prejudices of the past and give them
their just due. So, the political and cultural fault lines are drawn. The past is a sure
guidepost to the present. The present is the moment to free us and ensure a glorious
future. This might be a crass way to see the world. But, it makes for interesting politics
and boosts ratings for cable news networks.
Once in a while, dwelling in the past does fog our openness to what confronts us.
Spirituality is more than cherishing tradition. This was the message Jesus gave to his
audience: "Don't merely look to the past for answers. Look to me!"
First Reading
Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15
2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in
the wilderness,
3 and said to them, "Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of
Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out
into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger."
4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and
the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may prove them,
whether they will walk in my law or not.
...
12 "I have heard the murmurings of the people of Israel; say to them, 'At twilight
you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; then you shall
know that I am the LORD your God.'"
13 In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning dew lay round
about the camp.
14 And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine,
flake-like thing, fine as hoarfrost on the ground.
15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For
they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, "It is the bread which the
LORD has given you to eat."
Second Reading
Ephesians 4:17, 20-24
17 Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles
do, in the futility of their minds;
...
20 You did not so learn Christ! -
21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in
Jesus.
22 Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt
through deceitful lusts,
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and
holiness
Gospel Reading
John 6:24-35
24 So when the people saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got
into the boats and went to Caper'na-um, seeking Jesus.
25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when
did you come here?"
26 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek me, not because you saw
signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal
life, which the Son of man will give to you; for on him has God the Father set his
seal."
28 Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?"
29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has
sent."
30 So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see, and believe you?
What work do you perform?
31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, `He gave them bread from
heaven to eat.'"
32 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave
you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the
world."
34 They said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always."
35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger,
and he who believes in me shall never thirst
Bible Study/Meditation
Have you ever dreamed about being born into a family as rich as the Rockefellers or the
Kennedys? What would you do with all that money? Well, the truth is that in God, we have
the richest Father imaginable! After all, he owns everything in the universe. He even has
the power to create whatever else he wants to. What's
more, God's heart is so full of love that he can't help but lavish priceless gifts upon
us, his children.
When the Israelites asked for food in the desert, God gave them exactly what they needed.
He wasn't even put off by their grumblings. Similarly, when the throngs gathered around
Jesus, he not only fed them, he gave them more than they could eat. In both instances,
God's main goal was to manifest his love in such a way that it would move the people to
trust him with their lives.
Those who crowded around Jesus asked him a simple question: "What must we do to do
the works of God?" And he gave an equally simple answer: "Believe in me."
The greatest "work of God" we can ever do is open our hearts to him so he can
fill us and change us. Scripture gives many examples of people who opened themselves to
God and were changed. Cornelius sought God in prayer and was surprised by the Holy Spirit
(Acts 10). Mary Magdalene pursued Jesus wholeheartedly and with great joy found him at the
tomb (Luke 24:1-9). Paul and Silas sang and worshipped God and were released from prison
(Acts16:16-35).
Our hearts are starving to receive God's love, waiting to be watered with his grace. Deep
within, we all long to know that God loves us as his own children. If we will sit quietly
before the Lord each day in prayer and receive his body at Mass with open hearts, he will
feed us. So let's go to him. Let's ask him for the grace to love our families and to reach
out in service to our neighbors. Let's believe in him with our whole hearts. Then, we'll
find ourselves doing his work in our lives.
Reflections:
· Please re-read the phrase(s)/sentence(s) that move(s)/touche(s) you and what inner
message of the heart is the Spirit whispering to you?
. For John's audience, of course, only the Christian community held up the Christ as one
to be worshiped as God. So, the only way to come and trust was through that community.
This was the challenge Christianity lay before its Jewish competitors.
The activity of God was present in the community, because the Christ was present.
While what God did was important, what God was doing now was more important.
----How is God active in your life now? How does the Bible and tradition help that
insight?
. Did Jesus really think the past was unimportant? Should we? The answer to both is:
"Of course not!" Jesus did not come to reject tradition. He came to change the
focus of God's people. From the Law. To himself. He challenges us in the same way. He is
not only the Lord who died and rose two thousand years ago. And gave us a Church with a
deep and long tradition. No! He is our Lord! Now! He chides and challenges us to come to
him and trust in him.
To see him work in our lives and the lives of those around us.
----Do you have any plan to achieve an eternal life?
. John 6:29
----Jesus uses the words "labor for" and "work of God." How
much effort do you think we need to invest to cultivate our faith in God?
. John 6:35
----Do you hunger for Christ?
Prayer
Lord, you alone can satisfy the deepest longing and hunger in our hearts. May I always
hunger for the imperishable bread, that I may be satisfied in you alone as the True Bread
of Heaven. Nourish and strengthen me that I may serve you with great joy, generosity, and
zeal all the days of my life.