Amen, amen, I say to you

Greetings on this the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ex 16:2-4, 12-15; Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54; Eph 4:17, 20-24; Jn 6:24-35

Three Years ago

Here is my reflection of three years ago: http://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2021/08/01/contempt-of-the-familiar/

Summary

Amen, amen, I say to you

1. You are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled.

The Gospel of John is organized around the Seven Signs of Jesus and then the “hour” of Jesus. From signs to reality, from specific cases to universal application, from proofs of authenticity to the full expression of personhood and holiness.

Jesus asks us to reconsider: do you just want food that lasts for a few hours or food that lasts forever?

Amen, amen, I say to you

2. It was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

This correction is similar to the correction of cleanliness – calling out the placing of the wrong emphasis – You cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence. Cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean (Matt 23:25-26).

The Lord was the active agent (efficient/final cause) of the Manna coming forward upon the Earth. Moses was the material cause. Limited to this small vector, the Father is the efficient/final cause of the miracle bread and Jesus is the material cause. Of course that is further expanded by Jesus, hang in there.

Jesus asks us to reconsider: Moses GAVE. The Father GIVES. Moses is limited to his historical and actual life. The life of the Father is eternal. Moses gave while he could give. The Father gives from the beginning of time until the end of time.

Amen, amen, I say to you

3. Jesus said to them: (a) For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world; and (b) “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

The Journey

We know about the Jewish journey through the desert and the necesstity of the divine blessing to make the journey to the Holy Land. And so it is the same today, for all.

Bread as Person

In the gospel portion of John on the Bread of Life (and cross referenced to the synoptic gospel remembrance of the Last Supper), we can see the third point above as being the singularly most important difference between the Manna and the Eucharist. The bread the Father GIVES (continuously) is a person, the Son who is the bread. The efficient/final cause of the action on the material bread has himself inserted / transubstantiated his person into the bread. It is the causa finalis finalis. The final cause of all final causes.

Jesus, Bread of Life, to give, continuously, life and eternal life.

Reflection

In the Holy Mass the height of the Priestly function is to bring about the divine action as instructed by Jesus (Exodus: follow my instructions). The height of the Holy Mass for the people is Holy Communion. The first prepares the second. But without the second there is no point to the first. Jesus calls us to refactor faith and liturgical practice. Keeping things centered on the divine will to share of himself in the most intimate of ways.

Personal Reflection

It is an ultimate privilege and an honor to serve Jesus at the Holy Mass. I am also blessed to be of particular help to certain priests in periods of their life where a good assistant is nearby. Health issues and experiencing a family member death are obvious examples but the example I hold in highest regard was helping a foreign born priest learn liturgical english. It was a blessing to to have helped him. But most of all I love sharing the Eucharistic Minister function of bringing Jesus in the Holy Eucharist to those waiting for him. I try to offer a smile and renewal of hope, with encouragement, for the unknown difficulties the person may have.

Next Steps

Amen, amen, I say to you.

1. As in our second reading, stop living in the futility of your minds; that is not how you learned Christ, come to the Eucharistic Lord.
2. Know the Father GIVES, always.

Peace!

Sacred Readings

Full link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080424.cfm

First Reading

1. Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will now rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion.
2. In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread, so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God.

Responsorial

The Lord gave them bread from heaven.

Second Reading

You must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; that is not how you learned Christ.

Gospel Acclamation

One does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Gospel

1. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
2. So they said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry