First Reading 1 Kings 19:4-8
The Lord feeds Elijah, strengthening him for his journey to Horeb.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9
A prayer of praise to God for his goodness
Second Reading Ephesians 4:30—5:2
The Ephesians are encouraged to be imitators of Christ.
Gospel Reading
John 6:41-51
Jesus responds to the murmurs of the crowd, who wonders what he means when he says that he came down from heaven.
Background on the Gospel Reading
On this Sunday, we continue to read from the “Bread of Life discourse” found in the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel. Recall that we have been reading from this chapter for the past two weeks and will continue to read from it for another two. Last week, the crowd asked for a sign that would show that Jesus came from God. Jesus replied by saying that he is the sign and the bread of life sent by God. At this point, our Lectionary omits six verses in which Jesus predicts the unbelief of the crowd and further develops his connection with God the Father. In these verses, Jesus says that he was sent by God to do the Father’s will. Jesus promises that those who look upon the Son with faith will find eternal life. Some of these themes are repeated in today’s Gospel reading.
Today’s Gospel begins with a report that the Jews complained about Jesus’ claims regarding his identity. They knew his family, and they knew he was the son of Joseph. They could not comprehend what Jesus meant when he said that he came down from heaven. Jesus responds to the complaints by saying that only those who are chosen by God will recognize him as the one that God sent. This is a recurring theme in John’s Gospel, that God has chosen those who will have faith in Jesus.
In the verses that follow, Jesus talks more about his unity with the Father. He is the one who has seen the Father and, therefore, knows the Father. Those who listen to God will recognize that Jesus is the one sent from God. Those who believe will have eternal life. Jesus concludes with the central element of our eucharistic theology. He promises that the bread of life will bring eternal life to those who partake of it, and he tells us that the bread of life will be his own flesh, given for the life of the world.
In today’s reading, we hear Jesus say again, as he did in last week's Gospel, that he is the bread of life. We also hear Jesus add that he is the living bread. Both of these statements help us understand better the gift that Jesus gives us in the Eucharist. We celebrate this gift of Jesus each time we gather for Mass. We believe that receiving Jesus in the Eucharist will lead us to eternal life.
September 22: Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time -The parable of the Unjust Steward
September 11 – Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Joyful Finding
September 8 - Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time : Hating our own life
September 01 - Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time : Take the Lower Place
August 25 – Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C : Enter through the narrow Gate
August 18 : The Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven – Crown of Glory
August 11 - Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Being Faithful & Being Prepared
August 4 - Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: The Fool’s Vanity
July 28 - Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Asked and Answered
July 21 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Serving God and Serving Neighbour
July 14 – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: What We Must Do
July 7 - Fourteenth Sunday in the Ordinary Time: I have a mission
June 30 - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time : Free to Follow
June 23 - The Feast of Corpus Christi: the Living bread
June 16 - Holy Trinity Sunday: One God in Three persons
June 9 - PENTECOST SUNDAY
June 2 - SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Mat 26 - SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 19 - FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 12 - Fourth Sunday of Easter: The Good Shepherd Sunday
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