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August 6, 2021Reflection for 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time: August 8, 2021
(1 Kings 19:4-8): Today, the prophet Elijah is running for his life; retreating to the desert and, ultimately becoming overwhelmed with hunger and thirst. Jezebel has sent men to pursue Elijah and kill him, so his fear is more than reasonable. Now, we’re given a vision or example of God’s miraculous provision for us: an angel appears twice to awaken Elijah and give him food and water to sustain him on his journey to Mount Horeb, where he is going in order to renew the Covenant given to Moses. Elijah had, through fatigue and bodily weakness, been inclined to submit to death.
Clearly, there’s a message here for us. When we’re totally weary and discouraged and drained of strength, we can still count upon God to sustain us. Our “angels” sent to help us can be a friend; unexpected resources or help provided by God, “just in the nick of time.” Haven’t we all had such miraculous moments in our lives when we’ve had a sense of God’s intervention to help us? Be at peace if you’re feeling weak or discouraged, right now. Take time to pray. Trust God and believe. God will give you the strength and help you need!
(Psalm 34: “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”): This psalm is a song of glory and praise and thanks to God and an expression of confidence in God to help us in times of need. The psalmist tells of seeking out God, as Elijah did in times of distress and how God answered and provided for him. This is another testimony of someone’s having had the experience of God’s intervening to help when the disciple is in need. In the last stanza of this psalm, we see again the angel and are reassured that “the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them.” Let’s try to hold onto that image for times ahead when we’ll be feeling alone, discouraged, afraid or overwhelmed. May we have ears and eyes to hear and see the angels around us who are here to help us. We don’t have to go it alone. God is ever ready to give us help and to supply for our every need.
(Ephesians 4:30-5:2): St. Paul reminds us of the spirit of love and virtue we’re called to have when facing trials; a spirit of love, kindness, compassion and forgiveness toward those who challenge us. We are warned to avoid a spirit of hostility, anger, bitterness and hate, which we know are poison to our souls and the souls of those upon whom we vent these vices. With a tranquil spirit that is characteristic of a virtuous soul, we can approach God much more productively and produce much more abundant spiritual fruits.
(John 6:41-51): Today’s Gospel is a clarion call for us to see, know, appreciate and thank God for His ultimate provision for us: salvation through His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ! As Jesus reveals: “I am the bread of life.” Jesus draws an analogy between Himself and the manna that God sent from Heaven to provide for the homeless Israelites. However, there’s a remarkable difference. Those who consume Jesus as the Bread of Life will have eternal life and not just temporary physical nourishment and subsistence as disciples who ate the manna experienced.
Jesus enlightens us that even our desire to approach Him in prayer is a gift from God, for even our inspirations to pray are a gift. Let’s humbly thank and adore God!
Reverently,
Deacon Matt
