Daily Readings - Sun Aug 11 2024

⁴while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."⁵Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat."⁶He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.⁷The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you."⁸So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

Ephesians

Chapter 4

³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Chapter 5

¹Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children²and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

John

Chapter 6

⁴¹At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."⁴²They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?"⁴³"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered.⁴⁴"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.⁴⁵It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.⁴⁶No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.⁴⁷I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.⁴⁸I am the bread of life.⁴⁹Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died.⁵⁰But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.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."

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on God’s providence, the call to live in love and forgiveness, and the gift of faith that sustains us on our journey. In the first reading, Elijah, exhausted and discouraged, asks God to take his life. Yet, instead of granting his request, God provides him with bread and water, strengthening him for the journey ahead. This passage reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God’s care and provision are always present, though they may come in unexpected ways. Elijah’s story is one of trust and surrender, showing us that God’s plan for us is bigger than our immediate struggles. The second reading from Ephesians calls us to live as children of God, imitating Him by walking in love and kindness. It reminds us to let go of bitterness and anger, choosing instead to forgive and be merciful, just as God has forgiven us. This is not always easy, but it is at the heart of what it means to follow Christ. The reading encourages us to reflect on how we treat others and whether our actions and words reflect the love of God. In the Gospel, Jesus identifies Himself as the “living bread” who has come down from heaven to give us eternal life. The crowd murmurs in disbelief, unable to accept that the familiar Jesus, whose family they know, could make such a claim. Jesus responds by emphasizing that faith is a gift from the Father, and those who come to Him will be raised up on the last day. This passage invites us to reflect on our own faith—do we truly trust in God’s plan for us? Do we recognize Jesus as the source of life and nourishment for our souls? Today’s readings remind us that our journey of faith is not one of self-reliance but of trust in God’s providence. Like Elijah, we may face moments of doubt or exhaustion, but God will sustain us. Like the Ephesians, we are called to live in love and forgiveness, reflecting the heart of Christ. And like the crowd in the Gospel, we are invited to deepen our faith, recognizing Jesus as the bread of life who satisfies our deepest hungers. Let us ask ourselves: Am I trusting in God’s plan, even when it’s unclear? Am I living in love and forgiveness? Am I nourishing my soul with the “living bread” of Christ? May we respond with faith, hope, and love, knowing that God’s grace is always sufficient for us.