God is our strength and sustenance!
August 11, 2024, 19th Sunday in ordinary Time. Year B.
1 Kings 19:4-8; Ps 33; Eph 4:30-5: 2; John 6:41-51
We often find ourselves exhausted in some difficult situations, hardships, persecutions and burdens in our lives. Like Elijah, we try to run away as we feel hopeless, powerless and abandoned. Sometimes, we wish we could be dead. But God reassures us in today’s reading that he is our refuge, our strength and sustenance (Psalm 43:1-3)
The Eucharist, food for the journey
In the first reading, Elijah is tired and exhausted as he runs away from his enemies. He even wishes to die. Along his journey in the desert, he receives the comfort of an angel from heaven who feeds him with bread and drinks. This food and drinks become his strength and sustenance till he arrives at Mount Horeb. The bread of the angel symbolizes the Eucharist, which is the spiritual food sustaining us through our long journey towards eternal life. It is indeed the new manna nourishing our souls with new bread from Heaven, Christ is our living Bread!
Jesus, the Living Bread!
In the Gospel, Jesus deepens his teaching on the Bread of life in spite of the unbelief and suspicions of his listeners. Should there be any suspicion or doubt, Jesus is affirming:
“I am the living bread that comes from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.”
The living bread is indeed Jesus’s own flesh.
“The bread I will give, he says, is my flesh given for the life of the world”.
As Catholics, we are invited to believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Eucharist renews in us the Spirit of God received during our baptism. St. Paul therefore exhorts us to live transformed life in the spirit, getting rid of all kinds of irritation, bitterness, anger, quarrel, insults and evil words. According to St. Paul in our second reading, a Eucharistic community is characterized by a harmonious life, service of one another, sacrifice, tenderness, generosity, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. It is an invitation to be imitators of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Jesus the Bread of Life indeed gives life to us so that we may become the bread of life for others for the Eucharist is the actualization of the death of Jesus on the cross. (St. Thomas Aquinas.)
Lord give this bread always!
Living the Eucharist. “They shall all be taught by God.” (John 6:45)
Quoting prophet Isaiah 54:13 and Jeremiah 31:33-34, explains how we need to open our heart to accept the gift of God. By listening to the word of God, we are drawn to Jesus. The love of God draws us to Christ and the Eucharist becomes the transformative power that helps us overcome ungodliness and worldly lust. Every Eucharistic celebration is therefore an invitation
to die to sin and live unto righteousness through Christ our Lord (Romans 6:11).
This week try to attend daily Masses and try to live a sober, righteous and a godly life. May every Eucharist we partake teach how to become like Jesus by becoming “living bread” for others!
Fr. Georges Roger BIDZOGO SAC