Saturday, August 1, 2009

Sunday August 2, 2009 The 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday August 2, 2009 of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15 Psalm 78: 3-4, 23-25, 54
Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24 John 6: 24-35
Psalm Response: “The Lord gave them Bread from heaven”

The Israelites were only a few days into the desert, when they started to complain to Moses and Aaron about the miserable food they brought with them when the Lord rescued them from slavery. They recalled the garlic pickles and mutton available to them even though they were slave laborers.
“Why did you bring us out here; to die of starvation and boredom?”
Moses thought they would rise up and bludgeon them so they implored God to do something.
God then sent dew which settled on the sand in the morning and when it evaporated, it left a residue, a bread-like substance for their starving stomachs. He also had flocks of quail land on the sand, which they were able to trap and roast for the meat they so desired.
They therefore, had plenty to eat on their forty years sojourn in the trek to the promised land. Because of their lack of Faith, none of the escapees, except for a faithful few entered into the promised land when God parted the Jordon and they supplanted the Canaanites.

The psalm response sums up God’s action for the people when they were disgusted with their fare. The psalm is a reminder of God’s providence when the going gets rough. He will provide for you too if you will exhibit a Faith in Him the rest of the world disdains.

Paul writes to his community of the Gospel he had taught them. Paul assumes the successors he had appointed remained true to his authorized message. They therefore were being enjoined to not take up their former pagan roles and become not reborn of the flesh but of the Spirit, able to withstand the pressure of the society surrounding them.

Our Lord, had just fed thousands with seven loaves and a few fish. The crowd, naturally
thought this action was the reincarnation of the manna Moses had supplied.
Jesus reminded them God was the supplier of the Manna, not Moses. However, they were enamored of the signs Jesus had worked and they wanted more. So, in spite of His attempt to distance Himself from them, they found a way to locate Him and His disciples.
When they caught up with Him, they bragged of Moses’ action for their ancestors as though His miracle was minor comparatively.
When they asked for the bread Jesus proposed “always”, they didn’t expect His answer that He was the Bread of Life.
We often approach the “Bread of Life “with a blasé attitude; not reverently but with sort of an aplomb we exhibit when we get in line for a buffet.
Wake up people! It is the Creator and Sustainer of life we are about to consume. Without Him, He said, “We have no life in us!”

No comments:

Post a Comment