Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ex 16:2-4, 12-15 * Ps 78:3-4, 23-25, 54 * Eph 4:17, 20-24 * John 6:24-35
Are you ready?
“I will utter…what we have heard and know…” (Ps78:2-3)
Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M. submitted a reflection on today’s readings in the publication “Living Faith.” The piece was titled: “Grumbling Versus Gratitude.”
That got me thinking of the frustration of the Israelites in the desert (our 1st reading); the bold proclamation of Paul’s challenge to the Ephesians (our 2nd reading); Psalm 78 invoking us to declare what we have heard and know about God; and the author, John, in today’s gospel who highlights for us that God, through Jesus of Nazareth, is offering us Bread of Life.
Jesus reminds us to beware of the tendency to think not as God does, but as human beings do. (see Mk8:33)
I pray that my Faith Story will not be based on the number of times I have received earthly comforts – like ‘manna in the desert’ or my ‘fill of bread’ on the mountain – but rather the number of times I have been able to recognize spiritual consolation and grace being given to me, in good and bad times, throughout my journey.
I believe that the majority of times that I have been caught in my “grumbling” can be judged by what I perceived as the lack of human comforts.
In contrast, I believe that the majority of times that I have had an attitude of “gratitude” have been those times when I was aware of receiving an abundance of spiritual comfort.
So, through today’s readings, I am asked to become entirely ready to surrender my old way of seeing and judging that I may be open and willing “to put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.” (Eph 4:24)
May we, like St. Dominic, whose feast we will be celebrating this week, always be willing to learn truth that we may better be prepared to preach truth.
Which ‘Bread’ will I/will you seek today?
· One that brings me/you abundant calories?
· Or, one that brings me/you abundant graces?
May we declare to those we meet “the glorious deeds of God…and the wonders that God has wrought.” (Ps 78:4)
Amen and Happy St. Dominic’s Day to All.
Sister Maureen Murphy, O.P.