Jesus heals and feeds the thousands that draw near, inspiring us to seek from the Lord what we require to continue to offer our lives in loving service.
At the conclusion of the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, as disciples are leaving after the “hard” teaching of Jesus, Peter responds to the Lord’s question with a declaration of faith in Christ.
Let’s examine some of the themes that surface in the Mass Readings for the 21st Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – Joshua 24:1-2a,15-17,18b
Joshua gathers the people at Shechem and tells them to choose who they will follow.
The people recall God’s mighty deeds and declare that they will serve the Lord.
Psalm – 34:2-3,16-21
“Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”
The Lord hears and rescues the brokenhearted when they cry out for help.
2nd Reading – Ephesians 5:21-32
Husbands and wives are called to be subordinate to one another out of reverence for Christ.
As husbands and wives serve and sacrifice, they mirror the mystery of Christ and the church.
Gospel – John 6:60-69
After hearing the “bread of life” discourse, many of the disciples of Jesus left him saying, “This teaching is hard; who can accept it?”
Jesus asks the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Peter responds, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”
Jesus teaches that his flesh is real food and his blood is real drink, and the Real Presence of Christ is apparent whenever we gather at the altar to receive the Lord at Mass.
Jesus addresses the murmuring of the crowd and reiterates that he is the bread of life, the living bread that came down from heaven, and the bread that he gives is his flesh for the life of the world.
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!
Jesus taught his disciples at the Last Supper that the bread and wine become his Body and Blood that they must eat and drink. Thus, we cherish the Eucharist and fervently come to the Lord’s table to receive Holy Communion, for we are what we eat.
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