Readings for Aug. 3-4, Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Lyn Zahorik | For On Mission
Have you ever been in a situation where someone valued you for what you could do for them, rather than for who you are?
In this Sunday’s Gospel, we will hear how Jesus recognized that “What can you give me?” was how some people were reacting to him.
A short time before, Jesus had miraculously fed 5,000 people with bread. It was unlike anything they had seen before. He also gave them instructions on “how to live a good and holy life.” The instructions were quickly forgotten, but the bread, they remembered the bread. They wanted more of that bread, so much so that people had been willing to cross a lake to find Jesus in hopes that their hunger would be physically satisfied.
An interesting thing occurs as Jesus encounters the people a second time. He tells them that he does more than provide bread for the multitudes. He turns their expectations upside-down and states something bold and new. He exhorts them to believe in him as the one sent from God. He stresses, though, that believing is not enough. They must also be committed to following his teaching.
Having already forgotten the miracle of bread, some demand further proof that he is from God. They actually ask for more bread! They are unable to grasp that Jesus is speaking of himself as the bread that will fill their every hunger.
In our own time, each of us has experienced times when Jesus accomplished something great in our life. Did we become firm believers and never look back? Most likely not. We may have moved forward in faith, but perhaps with the eager anticipation for the next remarkable thing Jesus would do for us.
Each time we attend Mass, we are given the sacred privilege of receiving Eucharist: Jesus the Living Bread, in body, blood, soul and divinity. How many of us — despite having received the holy Eucharist many, many times — relate in a manner similar to the Israelites as they looked upon the manna, and ask, “What is this? What does it mean?”
We believe the eucharistic species is Jesus and, in those few minutes after receiving Communion, we do feel that deep communion with and humble adoration of, our Lord Jesus Christ.
However, if we are to do what Jesus asks of us, it is not enough to be a grateful recipient of his holy body and blood. We must also go forth and live as his disciple.
In our after Communion prayers, it would do each of us well to consider how, in this lifetime, we will give ourselves to others as bread from heaven … in works, words and relationships.
Our church has chosen a beautiful symbol to remind us that in being “People of the Eucharist,” we find the fullness of who we are and to whom we belong.
Near every Catholic tabernacle stands a sanctuary lamp. That tiny flame gently burns, assuring us of the presence of Jesus reserved in the tabernacle and truly present to us in every Eucharist we receive.
Zahorik is director for spiritual engagement at St. Mary Parish, Omro, and St. Mary Parish, Winneconne.
The readings for Sunday, Aug. 4, can be found at Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | USCCB.