Scripture:
Exodus 16:2-4,12-15
Ephesians 4:7, 20-24
John 6:24-35
Reflection:
A Hearty Appetite for the Lord
The readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary time stretch our faith using a very familiar human reality: food. The selection from Exodus shares how the people grumbled again God in their famine while in exile – and God supplied food in the form of quail and manna. The Gospel selection from John 6 relates Jesus dealing with the crowds who were amazed by his miracle of the multiplication of the loaves of bread — while He wanted to share with them “food” which endues for eternal life…Himself!
Today’s readings suggest that, for the people of early Bible times, the way to their hearts was through their stomachs. The Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron because of their hunger – but things miraculously changed. In the Gospel, Jesus had an eager audience after multiplying the bread, but they seemed to “grab” more than listen…they wanted more bread! So, Jesus challenged them: faith is more than the manna of the past, falling from heaven…Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life!
The recent Eucharistic Revival and the Congress have helped us celebrate Jesus giving Himself to us as our Life and Nourishment, though we be unworthy. Jesus seeks to spark our “appetite” for Him, as He meets both our human and our spiritual hungers. Jesus touches our lives and nourishes us along the varied “highways” of life; as hungry people when we encounter Him in the celebration the Mass, and in special times of prayer with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
The recent Olympics featured cheerleaders and excited crowds to help motivate both the competitors and us. St. Paul, in today’s 2nd reading, is our cheerleader, encouraging us to have a greater “appetite” for Jesus. We are to “put away our old selves and our old way of living” and be renewed in spirit and mind, putting on a new self created in God’s way of righteousness and holiness. St. Paul did this for so many in his missionary journeys and letters, and he today challenges us to deeper life and faith in Jesus.
Those early listeners and prospective believers in Jesus had “faith” in the bread they received, and not so much in Jesus. Today, WE have Jesus Himself – “The Real Thing”, as an advertisement once proclaimed. Jesus wants to share in our life’s journey, to nourish us along the way, and to help fulfill our lives.
Let’s be grateful for the gift of our faith, for Jesus Who is the Bread of Life. May our “appetite” for the Jesus continue to grow these summer days, as He assures us that He “…is the Bread of Life and that whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst…” Jesus is our True Friend, our Life…and that’s fantastic!!
Fr. John Schork, C.P. serves as the Province Vocation Director and also as Local Superior of the Passionist Community of Holy Name in Houston, Texas.