Reflection by Deacon Matt

Reflection for 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time: August 4, 2024

Ex. 16:2-4, 12-15: This story takes place in an area of privation called “the Wilderness of Sin.” The people came to it right after a place called Elim; where there had been plenty of food and water. The people have little patience now, with suffering hunger and thirst, so… God… showing Divine Patience and infinite power, provides meat (quail) and bread (manna), miraculously. Moses and Aaron had been told, previously to instruct the people that these provisions were being given them to provide them with “knowledge of the Lord;” as contrasted with how the Lord had given Pharoah and the Egyptians “knowledge of the Lord,” via the plagues. Moses explains that the manna isn’t just a gift; that it comes with rules and expectations of the people. Thus, we see a precursor of our “Eucharistic Relationship” with the Lord. Upon reflection, we can ponder the greatness of God’s provisions for us, all through the ages!

Psalm 78: “The Lord gave them bread from Heaven.” As the psalmist proclaims here, it’s up to us to share our faith beliefs and experiences of God’s love, mercy and provisions for us with our descendants and others around us, whom we might evangelize. A beautiful reflection for us is on how the manna foreshadows the Holy Eucharist. Both are surely “Bread from Heaven;” with the Eucharist being the true Divine Presence of Jesus, our Savior and Lord! As with the Manna, the Eucharist isn’t simply a gift. The Eucharist comes with expectations for us to obey the Ten Commandments and other Laws of the Church. We are instructed to prepare our souls (to receive the Eucharist) with frequent reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Isn’t it wonderful that our God loves us so much, that God wants to have an intimate relationship with each one of us?!

Eph 4:17, 20-24: Here again, St. Paul reminds us that if we aspire to be followers of Jesus, there are expectations for us to transform our lives. We’re to evolve from a self-centered and self-indulgent lifestyle to a lifestyle and mindset of self-sacrifice and earnest desire to live in a more intimate relationship with God. St. Paul exhorts us to “put away our old selves;” (former way of life), and “put on the new self,” (spiritually renewed and perfected lifestyle), which learns from Jesus as our teacher, role-model, Savior and Lord! We’re mandated to live in righteousness, holiness and truth. With these three virtues as our goal, we’ll have much to change in our earthly relationships! This week, we might ask ourselves how we might work to be more humble, generous and gentle in our relationships. In practicing our imitation of Jesus, we get to know Him more intimately.

John 6:24-35:  Upon reflection of this passage, I’m moved by the fact that that the people who had just witnessed and been fed by Jesus’ multiplication of the loaves and fishes; still mesmerized by the event, continued to follow Him. It seems to me that being “close to” or “spiritually associated” with Jesus creates a longing within us that only He, as our “Bread of Life” can fill. The more closely we follow Jesus, the less appeal “earthly pursuits” have for us. There becomes, truly, a “God-sized-hole” within our very souls, that only Jesus can fill.
Reflect on Jesus’ last words in this passage: “I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” Let us approach this “oasis” with confidence and joy! 

Exultantly, 
Deacon Matt