August 8th - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Kgs 19:4-8; Eph 4:30–5:2; Jn 6:41–51)

Just before today’s Gospel passage, Jesus has fed the 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish. The crowd, not satisfied, has pressed Him for more signs. Perhaps they were hoping that God would continue to supply them with free bread and fish, like the manna in the desert! Jesus instead insists that He is the living bread which they must eat to gain eternal life. This confuses the crowd – and, to be fair, it is a confusing statement. Surprised and perhaps disgusted, they murmur against Him – after all, they know His parents, and now He’s talking as though He came straight from Heaven! Jesus doesn’t back down. He continues to reinforce His message. Just as Ezekiel received bread from Heaven in order to complete his journey, Jesus stresses that we must receive the living bread for our journey. Unlike the manna in the desert or Ezekiel’s bread, the bread that Jesus gives us is not simply to be consumed. We must allow it to become part of our very lives.

• The people - including His disciples - struggle with the teachings in today’s Gospel. This is understandable – most of us struggle with some of the teachings of the church. Which teachings of the church are hard for you to understand? How do you deal with this?
• When we receive the Body of Christ, we unite with Him, and through Him, with all of Christ’s Body – including the Church in Heaven and on Earth. Is there anyone you care for who is outside of this community? Resolve to reach out to this person with kindness, compassion and extra prayers this week.