NINETEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Also Read: Mass Readings for 08 August 2021
First Reading: First Kings 19: 4-8
Then Elijah laid down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” (5)
The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” (7)
He got up and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food, forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.” (8)
Before laying down in the wilderness, Elijah has asked God to take his life under a desolate tree! “It is enough now O Lord, take away my life…” (4) Elijah was fleeing from Jezebel, who had vowed to kill him! (v1-3) But God Almighty has other plans! God’s angel provides him nourishment, not once but twice! This being the indication of his long-drawn journey ahead!
We are in the wilderness today, we might have asked God too, like Elijah! – Because we do not see the road ahead nor do we have the energy to proceed anywhere! It is in times like these that God’s power is activated in us! “In our weakness we are strong.” (2Cor12:10) Therefore, lean not on your own human strength, but in the power of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, Nourisher, and Strength. May we listen to the Angel God sends us!
There is a very present, strong, and All-Powering God, who stands behind us! He towers over our enemies and slays our foes! We might needlessly wander in this wilderness on our own, but the battle is His. We must take our battle/s to The Lord! Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. (8,9)
When we revere the Lord and fear him out of that reverence, we will always humble ourselves before him. The Lord delivers us when we take refuge in Him and allow ourselves to taste and see Him. To do this, we must first surrender ourselves completely to the Lord. E.g., when we attend the Holy Mass, we can physically taste him and see him through our spiritual eyes. Amen!
Second Reading: Ephesians 4: 30 – 5: 2
Imitators of God!
Why must we be imitators of God? -For the simple fact that we are children of God! True, this is a tough choice and a bitter pill to swallow because we are human. But the other choice brings death and suffering, forever. We may endure suffering here on earth a little while but make no mistake the devil knows exactly what is in store for us if we choose to live as God’s children here on earth. Remember, he was in Eden too! No wonder then, that he puts up a fight against the mind of our spirits, souls, and beings. In our minds begin all the battles.
Therefore, “Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice.” (31) These are the things that grieve the Holy Spirit of God. These emotions are planted by the evil one. We must discipline ourselves and keep alert as St. Peter said, “Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.” (1Pet5:8)
We serve a just God and if we have been wronged by mortals, we must remember Vengeance is the Lord’s!
Gospel: John 6: 41-51
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (51)
Elijah was fed, the Israelites were given manna; but we have the living bread from heaven – JESUS! We are the blessed and chosen ones who have been called by the Father to receive His Son in the Holy Eucharist! Unless we were called by our father, we would not be here! (44)
Therefore, courage dear brethren, arise and Shine your Light to the world, today. We have been taught by God because we have learned and heard from him! (45) And so, we go to Him and Believe in His Son Jesus!
Amen, Amen, Amen!
