EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Also Read: Mass Readings for 01 August 2021
First Reading: Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15
Our Manna Today
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ” I am going to rain bread from heaven for you and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day; in that way, I will test them whether they will follow my instruction or not.” (4)
In his great mercy for his people Israel, the Lord our God hears their complaint and provides for them. When we are blest with all our basic needs, do we remember the mercy of God on us? Or do we complain about the things we do not yet have? With the Blessings we have, are we faithful to follow God’s instructions? Or do we squander our time, talent, tenderness, and treasure in vain worry?
May we be able to recognize our manna today! Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 78: 3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
The Bread of Angels
“Mortals ate of the bread of angels; he sent them food in abundance.” (25)
The bread of life that we receive in the Holy Eucharist today, is the new living manna. May we never forget this great privilege, we have received through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!
Second Reading: Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24
Strengthen the Spirit of Your Mind
“Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds.” (17)
In the world today, we are increasingly seeing the above way of life replicated! – “In the futility of the mind!” Man has progressed to an unimaginable extent and in the pursuit of happiness outside, in his mind has truly gone crazy! Therefore we believers must no longer be influenced by the shallow minds around us today! It may seem a tight rope walk now, but content and peaceful heart that rests solely in the Lord; is a much more joyous reward here on earth!
“You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds.” (22-23)
Note that the lusts we give in to, are very delusional. They provide us momentary joys yet leave us more bitter and empty once the effect of the delusion wears off! This is not to say that we must not attend the occasional banquets, Christ did! But our job is to discern the moment when and where we step into the lusting or excess phase! Amen!
Gospel: John 6: 24-35
Jesus – The Bread of Life!
“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” (27)
The food that endures for eternal life is only one and that is Jesus himself. We have received him in our being at our First Holy Communion! The inexplicable joy, one felt when one received Jesus; is still very fresh in one’s memory! What happened later? Did we get delusional? If we truly believe in Jesus as our Saviour and God, we can still make it around! “Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (29) That is all! We must believe in Jesus as our Lord and Son of God.
“Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (35)
We will find ourselves hungry and thirsty at different points and for different things in our life! We are human! The onus lies on each of us in lifting the cup to our lips and drinking from the living waters in front of us. The bread that we eat is our eternal nourishment. We need to BELIEVE!
Amen!
