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Sunday, August 2, 2009, 18th Sunday Ordinary Time
Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15, Ephesians 4:17, 20-24, Psalm 78:3-4, 23-25, 54, John
6:24-35
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/080209.shtml
EAT! EAT!
"He gave them bread from the heavens to eat." —John 6:31
Today's Gospel reading from the sixth chapter of John begins Jesus' famous
Bread of Life discourse, which we read on four consecutive Sundays. The
words of Jesus have a distinct, intentional progression regarding our
response to this heavenly bread.
During the first part of the discourse, Jesus emphasizes that we must
believe He is the Bread of Life. The word believe is used four times from
verses 29 through 47. Jesus says we must believe in Him, and accordingly,
believe the truths He is revealing. "I Myself am the Bread of Life. No one
who comes to Me shall ever be hungry, no one who believes in Me shall ever
thirst" (Jn 6:35).
Jesus makes an abrupt, intentional transition in the last half of the
discourse. He stops using the word "believe" and begins using verbs and
nouns referring to eating and drinking. For nine consecutive verses, 50
through 58, the verbs eat and drink or nouns for food and drink are used.
"If anyone eats this bread he shall live forever" (Jn 6:51). "If you do
not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life
in you" (Jn 6:53). "The man who feeds on this bread shall live forever"
(Jn 6:58).
Jesus clearly states that anyone who believes in Him will take the next
step and eat His eucharistic flesh. There was no confusion for His initial
hearers. They understood exactly the progression Jesus was making; they
just refused to obey and eat (Jn 6:60ff). What about you? What will you do
in response to Jesus' clear words? "Unless you eat..."
Prayer: Jesus, every day, or as often as possible, I will open wide my
mouth so You may fill it with the food of Your eucharistic body and blood
(Ps 81:11, 17).
Promise: "He rained manna upon them for food and gave them heavenly
bread." —Ps 78:24
Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, Who is the Word-Made-Flesh, now and
forever! (Jn 1:14)
(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
August 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of
Cincinnati, February 11, 2009
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.
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