NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEA B THEME: The Word Of Jesus, Bread Of Life
Date: 9 Aug 2015
First Reading
FIRST READING 1 kings 19:4-8
“He walked in the strength of that food to the mount of God.”
A reading from the first Book of Kings
In those days: Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under the broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you.” And he arose, and ate and drank, and walked in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.
The word of God
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. I am the living bread which came down from heaven, says the Lord; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever. Alleluia.
Responsorial Psalm
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 34:2:9
Response: Taste And See That The Lord Is Good!
I will bless the Lord at all times,
praise of him is always in my mouth.
In the Lord my soul shall make its boast:
the humble shall hear and be glad. R
Glorify the Lord with me;
together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
from all my terrors he set me free. R
Look towards him and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.
This lowly one called; the Lord heard,
and rescued him from all his distress R
The angel of the Lord is encamped
around those who fear him, to rescue them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Blessed the man who seeks refuge in him. R
Second Reading
SECOND READING Ephesians4:30-5:2
“Walk in love, just as Christ.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians
Brethren: Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
The word of the Lord
Gospel
GOSPEL John 6:41-51
“I am the living bread which came down from heaven.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John
At that time: The Jews murmured at Jesus, because he said, “I am the bread which came down from heave.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come from down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not murmur among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except him who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Reflection
Reflection ¬¬¬Don Schwager
When we receive from the Lord's table we unite ourselves to Jesus Christ, who makes us sharers in his body and blood and partakers of his divine life. Ignatius of Antioch (35-107 A.D.) calls it the "one bread that provides the medicine of immortality, the antidote for death, and the food that makes us live for ever in Jesus Christ" (Ad Eph. 20,2). This supernatural food is healing for both body and soul and strength for our journey heavenward.
Jesus offers us the abundant supernatural life of heaven itself - but we can miss it or even refuse it. To refuse Jesus is to refuse eternal life, unending life with the Heavenly Father. To accept Jesus as the bread of heaven is not only life and spiritual nourishment for this world but glory in the world to come. When you approach the Table of the Lord, what do you expect to receive? Healing, pardon, comfort, and rest for your soul? The Lord has much more for us, more than we can ask or imagine. The principal fruit of receiving the Eucharist or Lord's Supper is an intimate union with Christ. As bodily nourishment restores lost strength, so the Eucharist strengthens us in charity and enables us to break with disordered attachments to creatures and to be more firmly rooted in the love of Christ. Do you hunger for the "bread of life"?
PRAYER
"Lord Jesus, you are the living bread which sustains me in this life. May I always hunger for the bread which comes from heaven and find in it the nourishment and strength I need to love and serve you wholeheartedly. May I always live in the joy, peace, and unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both now and in the age to come."
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