Daily Readings - Sun Jun 11 2023
Deuteronomy
2Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.3He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.14then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.15He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock.16He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you.
John
51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."52Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"53Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.56Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.58This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever."59He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Sermon
In today's readings, we journey through the wilderness of faith, the mystery of the Eucharist, and the profound gift of Jesus as the living bread. The first reading from Deuteronomy reminds us of the Israelites' wilderness experience, where God tested their faith with manna, teaching them that true sustenance comes from His word. This historical context highlights the theme of trust and dependence on God amidst trials.
The second reading from 1 Corinthians shifts our focus to the Eucharist, a sacrament that unites us in Christ's body and blood, symbolizing our unity as one body in faith. This passage emphasizes the communal aspect of our spiritual nourishment, drawing us into a deeper understanding of communion.
In the Gospel, John presents Jesus as the living bread, offering eternal life through His flesh and blood. This transcends the physical manna, pointing to the ultimate spiritual sustenance that only Christ can provide. Together, these readings weave a narrative from physical to spiritual nourishment, underscoring the progression of God's revelation.
In our daily lives, these teachings invite us to trust God during life's challenges, just as the Israelites trusted Him in the wilderness. The Eucharist becomes our spiritual nourishment, strengthening us and uniting us in community. As we reflect, we realize that our spiritual life is as vital as our physical life, requiring us to nourish it through prayer, sacraments, and shared faith. Let us embrace this truth, finding life and unity in Christ, the true bread from heaven.