A Catholic priest since 1997, Fr. Andrew Ricci is currently the rector of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, WI. His website "Three Great Things" can be found at studyprayserve.com and his podcasts can be found under "Catholic Inspiration" in the iTunes store.
Let’s explore some of the themes that we discover in the Mass readings for the 19th Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – 1st Book of Kings 19:4-8
Elijah is exhausted, and he is fed in the desert by the angel of the Lord.
The prophet, strengthened by this heavenly food, continues on his journey for forty days and nights.
Psalm – 34:2-9
“Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”
We bless and glorify God, who saves us in our moments of distress.
2nd Reading – Ephesians 4:30-5:2
The letter exhorts us to cast out all wickedness and malice.
We are now imitators of God, beloved children who live in love as Christ loved us.
Gospel – John 6:41-51
The people murmur about the teaching that Jesus is “the bread of life.”
The Lord responds, reaffirming that he is the living bread that came down from heaven, and unlike those who ate manna in the desert and died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.
In response to the crowds who speak about how Moses gave the Israelites manna to eat, Jesus states that he is the bread of life, and whoever eats this bread will live forever.
Note: This is the second of five weeks where we hear from John’s Gospel, chapter six. It really is worth it to dig out your Bible and read this chapter!
Jeremiah and John the Baptist put their lives on the line for proclaiming God’s message, inviting us to consider how our faith in Christ is a matter of life and death.
On this Memorial of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, we recognize the deep friendship they have with the Lord, and we discern how we foster our connection with Christ, our savior and friend.
Three Great Things 