Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Also Read: Mass Readings for 11 August 2024 Mass Reading Reflection for 11 August 2024
Gospel: John 6: 41-51
What do you feed on?
‘I am the bread of life’, this statement of Jesus suggests that there are other pieces of bread too that are not real. This statement is a warning to look if we are feeding on other ‘breads’ that are not breads of life: breads that can ruin our lives.
Jesus is referring to the bread that gives energy to the spirit. Jesus is challenging us to review the motivating forces in our lives.
There are people driven by their hunger for power. Authority is their ‘bread’. They can’t think of surviving a day outside offices of authority. But power is not a living bread that can sustain us for eternity.
There are people driven by wealth. Money is their ‘bread’. They would exchange anything for money. Money is not their means, but it is their goal. No amount of money shall satisfy them.
There are those driven by lust. They continuously help themselves with promiscuous materials. They may be addicted to pornography or sexual perversions. They may even take pride in being perversive. They live to satisfy their carnal desires.
And some take recourse to alcohol and substances for their satisfaction. They hope their substance abuse and addiction will satisfy them. Substance addiction is their ‘bread’.
These are some popular examples of ‘breads’ that drive many.
Jesus is asking us today, ‘What do you feed on?’ It is time to look into ourselves. If we are feeding on those perishable ‘breads’ we have to be worried.
Jesus is the only non-perishable bread. He came down from heaven to become the living bread. He came down from heaven because he is the only living bread that can guarantee eternal life. He came down from heaven to become the Blessed Sacrament. The blessed sacrament is the purpose of incarnation. He wanted to live with us here and now, and He reduced Himself to a tiny loaf, accessible to one and all.
How much do we appreciate the Blessed Sacrament? Most of us faithfully attend the Church and receive the Blessed Sacrament every Sunday. It is well and good. Let us also take a break once in a while to be near the Blessed Sacrament in silent adoration and reflective reading of the Bible.
Blessed Sacrament is waiting for your presence near Him. He is indeed waiting for an eternity with us. He is the only bread that can sustain us for eternity. He is the only living bread.
Amen.
